Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis during Invasive Mechanical Ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Whether proton-pump inhibitors are beneficial or harmful for stress ulcer prophylaxis in critically ill patients undergoing invasive ventilation is unclear. METHODS: In this international, randomized trial, we assigned critically ill adults who were undergoing invasive ventilation to receive intravenous pantoprazole (at a dose of 40 mg daily) or matching placebo. The primary efficacy outcome was clinically important upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the intensive care unit (ICU) at 90 days, and the primary safety outcome was death from any cause at 90 days. Multiplicity-adjusted secondary outcomes included ventilator-associated pneumonia, Clostridioides difficile infection, and patient-important bleeding. RESULTS: A total of 4821 patients underwent randomization in 68 ICUs. Clinically important upper gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 25 of 2385 patients (1.0%) receiving pantoprazole and in 84 of 2377 patients (3.5%) receiving placebo (hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19 to 0.47; P<0.001). At 90 days, death was reported in 696 of 2390 patients (29.1%) in the pantoprazole group and in 734 of 2379 patients (30.9%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.04; P = 0.25). Patient-important bleeding was reduced with pantoprazole; all other secondary outcomes were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing invasive ventilation, pantoprazole resulted in a significantly lower risk of clinically important upper gastrointestinal bleeding than placebo, with no significant effect on mortality. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; REVISE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03374800.).

Exploring the Impact of Age, Frailty, and Multimorbidity on the Effect of ICU Interventions: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVES: To date, age, frailty, and multimorbidity have been used primarily to inform prognosis in older adults. It remains uncertain, however, whether these patient factors may also predict response to critical care interventions or treatment outcomes. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a systematic search of top general medicine and critical care journals for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining critical care interventions published between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2021. STUDY SELECTION: We included RCTs of critical care interventions that examined any one of three subgroups-age, frailty, or multimorbidity. We excluded cluster RCTs, studies that did not report interventions in an ICU, and studies that did not report data examining subgroups of age, frailty, or multimorbidity. DATA EXTRACTION: We collected study characteristics (single vs. multicountry enrollment, single vs. multicenter enrollment, funding, sample size, intervention, comparator, primary outcome and secondary outcomes, length of follow-up), study population (inclusion and exclusion criteria, average age in intervention and comparator groups), and subgroup data. We used the Instrument for assessing the Credibility of Effect Modification Analyses instrument to evaluate the credibility of subgroup findings. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 2037 unique citations, we included 48 RCTs comprising 50,779 total participants. Seven (14.6%) RCTs found evidence of statistically significant effect modification based on age, whereas none of the multimorbidity or frailty subgroups found evidence of statistically significant subgroup effect. Subgroup credibility ranged from very low to moderate. CONCLUSIONS: Most critical care RCTs do not examine for subgroup effects by frailty or multimorbidity. Although age is more commonly considered, the cut-point is variable, and relative effect modification is rare. Although interventional effects are likely similar across age groups, shared decision-making based on individual patient preferences must remain a priority. RCTs focused specifically on critically ill older adults or those living with frailty and/or multimorbidity are crucial to further address this research question.

Protocol implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences from a randomized trial of stress ulcer prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many intensive care units (ICUs) halted research to focus on COVID-19-specific studies. OBJECTIVE: To describe the conduct of an international randomized trial of stress ulcer prophylaxis (Re-Evaluating the Inhibition of Stress Erosions in the ICU [REVISE]) during the pandemic, addressing enrolment patterns, center engagement, informed consent processes, data collection, a COVID-specific substudy, patient transfers, and data monitoring. METHODS: REVISE is a randomized trial among mechanically ventilated patients, comparing pantoprazole 40 mg IV to placebo on the primary efficacy outcome of clinically important upper gastrointestinal bleeding and the primary safety outcome of 90-day mortality. We documented protocol implementation status from March 11th 2020-August 30th 2022. RESULTS: The Steering Committee did not change the scientific protocol. From the first enrolment on July 9th 2019 to March 10th 2020 (8 months preceding the pandemic), 267 patients were enrolled in 18 centers. From March 11th 2020-August 30th 2022 (30 months thereafter), 41 new centers joined; 59 were participating by August 30th 2022 which enrolled 2961 patients. During a total of 1235 enrolment-months in the pandemic phase, enrolment paused for 106 (8.6%) months in aggregate (median 3 months, interquartile range 2;6). Protocol implementation involved a shift from the a priori consent model pre-pandemic (188, 58.8%) to the consent to continue model (1615, 54.1%, p < 0.01). In one new center, an opt-out model was approved. The informed consent rate increased slightly (80.7% to 85.0%, p = 0.05). Telephone consent encounters increased (16.6% to 68.2%, p < 0.001). Surge capacity necessitated intra-institutional transfers; receiving centers continued protocol implementation whenever possible. We developed a nested COVID-19 substudy. The Methods Centers continued central statistical monitoring of trial metrics. Site monitoring was initially remote, then in-person when restrictions lifted. CONCLUSION: Protocol implementation adaptations during the pandemic included a shift in the consent model, a sustained high consent rate, and launch of a COVID-19 substudy. Recruitment increased as new centers joined, patient transfers were optimized, and monitoring methods were adapted.

Cerebral autoregulation-based mean arterial pressure targets and delirium in critically ill adults without brain injury: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Cerebral autoregulation (CA) is a mechanism that acts to maintain consistent cerebral perfusion across a range of blood pressures, and impaired CA is associated with delirium. Individualized CA-derived blood pressure targets are poorly characterized in critically ill patients and the association with intensive care unit (ICU) delirium is unknown. Our objectives were to characterize optimal mean arterial pressure (MAPopt) ranges in critically ill adults without brain injury and determine whether deviations from these targets contribute to ICU delirium. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with shock of any etiology and/or respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, without a neurologic admitting diagnosis. Patients were screened daily for delirium. Cerebral oximetry and mean arterial pressure data were captured for the first 24 hr from enrolment. RESULTS: Forty-two patients with invasive blood pressure monitoring data were analyzed. Optimal mean arterial pressure targets ranged from 55 to 100 mm Hg. Optimal mean arterial pressure values were not significantly different based on history of hypertension or delirium status, and delirium was not associated with deviations from MAPopt. Nevertheless, the majority (69%) of blood pressure targets exceeded the current 65 mm Hg Surviving Sepsis guidelines. CONCLUSION: We observed that MAPopt targets across patients were highly variable, but did not observe an association with the incidence of delirium. Studies designed to evaluate the impact on neurologic outcomes are needed to understand the association with individualized mean arterial pressure targets in the ICU. STUDY REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02344043); first submitted 22 January 2015.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'autorégulation cérébrale (AC) est un mécanisme qui agit pour maintenir une perfusion cérébrale constante pour une gamme de tensions artérielles, et une altération de l'AC est associée au delirium. Les cibles de tension artérielle individualisées dérivées de l'AC sont mal caractérisées chez les patient·es gravement malades et l'association avec le delirium à l'unité de soins intensifs (USI) est inconnue. Nos objectifs étaient de caractériser la tension artérielle moyenne optimale (TAMopt) chez les adultes gravement malades sans lésion cérébrale et de déterminer si les écarts par rapport à ces cibles contribuaient au delirium à l'USI. MéTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une analyse de cohorte rétrospective de patient·es présentant un choc de toute étiologie et/ou une insuffisance respiratoire nécessitant une ventilation mécanique invasive, et n'ayant pas reçu de diagnostic d'atteinte neurologique à l'admission. Les patients ont été dépistés quotidiennement pour le delirium. Les données d'oxymétrie cérébrale et de tension artérielle moyenne ont été saisies pendant les 24 premières heures suivant le recrutement. RéSULTATS: Quarante-deux patient·es pour qui des données de monitorage invasif de la tension artérielle étaient disponibles ont été analysé·es. Les cibles optimales de tension artérielle moyenne variaient de 55 à 100 mm Hg. Les valeurs optimales de tension artérielle moyenne n'étaient pas significativement différentes en fonction des antécédents d'hypertension ou de delirium, et le delirium n'était pas associé à des écarts par rapport à la TAMopt. Néanmoins, la majorité (69 %) des cibles de tension artérielle dépassaient celle de 65 mm Hg préconisée par les lignes directrices Surviving Sepsis. CONCLUSION: Nous avons observé que les cibles de TAMopt étaient très variables chez les patient·es, mais nous n'avons pas observé d'association avec l'incidence de delirium. Des études conçues pour évaluer l'impact sur les issues neurologiques sont nécessaires pour comprendre l'association avec les cibles de tension artérielle moyenne individualisées à l'USI. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02344043); soumis pour la première fois le 22 janvier 2015.

Development and validation of a hospital frailty risk measure using Canadian clinical administrative data.

BACKGROUND: Accessible measures specific to the Canadian context are needed to support health system planning for older adults living with frailty. We sought to develop and validate the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) Hospital Frailty Risk Measure (HFRM). METHODS: Using CIHI administrative data, we conducted a retrospective cohort study involving patients aged 65 years and older who were discharged from Canadian hospitals from Apr. 1, 2018, to Mar. 31, 2019. We used a 2-phase approach to develop and validate the CIHI HFRM. The first phase, construction of the measure, was based on the deficit accumulation approach (identification of age-related conditions using a 2-year look-back). The second phase involved refinement into 3 formats (continuous risk score, 8 risk groups and binary risk measure), with assessment of their predictive validity for several frailty-related adverse outcomes using data to 2019/20. We assessed convergent validity with the United Kingdom Hospital Frailty Risk Score. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 788 701 patients. The CIHI HFRM included 36 deficit categories and 595 diagnosis codes that cover morbidity, function, sensory loss, cognition and mood. The median continuous risk score was 0.111 (interquartile range 0.056-0.194, equivalent to 2-7 deficits); 35.1% (n = 277 000) of the cohort were found at risk of frailty (≥ 6 deficits). The CIHI HFRM showed satisfactory predictive validity and reasonable goodness-of-fit. For the continuous risk score format (unit = 0.1), the hazard ratio (HR) for 1-year risk of death was 1.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-1.41), with a C-statistic of 0.717 (95% CI 0.715-0.720); the odds ratio for high users of hospital beds was 1.85 (95% CI 1.82-1.88), with a C-statistic of 0.709 (95% CI 0.704-0.714), and the HR of 90-day admission to long-term care was 1.91 (95% CI 1.88-1.93), with a C-statistic of 0.810 (95% CI 0.808-0.813). Compared with the continuous risk score, using a format of 8 risk groups had similar discriminatory ability and the binary risk measure had slightly weaker performance. INTERPRETATION: The CIHI HFRM is a valid tool showing good discriminatory power for several adverse outcomes. The tool can be used by decision-makers and researchers by providing information on hospital-level prevalence of frailty to support system-level capacity planning for Canada's aging population.

An international Delphi consensus process to determine a common data element and core outcome set for frailty: FOCUS (The Frailty Outcomes Consensus Project).

BACKGROUND: Despite increased recognition of frailty and its importance, high quality evidence to guide decision-making is lacking. There has been variation in reported data elements and outcomes which makes it challenging to interpret results across studies as well as to generalize research findings. The creation of a frailty core set, consisting of a minimum set of data elements and outcomes to be measured in all frailty studies, would allow for findings from research and translational studies to be collectively analyzed to better inform care and decision-making. To achieve this, the Frailty Outcomes Consensus Project was developed to reach consensus from the international frailty community on a set of common data elements and core outcomes for frailty. METHODS: An international steering committee developed the methodology and the consensus process to be followed. The committee formulated the initial list of data elements and outcomes. Participants from across the world were invited to take part in the Delphi consensus process. The Delphi consisted of three rounds. Following review of data after three rounds, a final ranking round of data elements and outcomes was conducted. A required retention rate of 80% between rounds was set a priori. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-four panelists from 25 different countries participated in the first round of the Delphi consensus process. This included researchers, clinicians, administrators, older adults, and caregivers. The retention rate between rounds was achieved. Data elements and outcomes forming primary and secondary core sets were identified, within the domains of participant characteristics, physical performance, physical function, physical health, cognition and mental health, socioenvironmental circumstances, frailty measures, and other. CONCLUSION: It is anticipated that implementation and uptake of the frailty core set will enable studies to be collectively analyzed to better inform care for persons living with frailty and ultimately improve their outcomes. Future work will focus on identification of measurement tools to be used in the application of the frailty core set.

Airway injury from the presence of endotracheal tubes and the association with subglottic secretion drainage: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Laryngeal and tracheal injuries are known complications of endotracheal intubation. Endotracheal tubes (ETTs) with subglottic suction devices (SSDs) are commonly used in the critical care setting. There is concern that herniation of tissue into the suction port of these devices may lead to tracheal injury resulting in serious clinical consequences such as tracheal stenosis. We aimed to describe the type and location of tracheal injuries seen in intubated critically ill patients and assess injuries at the suction port as well as in-hospital complications associated with those injuries. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of 57 critically ill patients admitted to a level 3 intensive care unit who were endotracheally intubated and underwent percutaneous tracheostomy. Investigators performed bronchoscopy and photographic evaluation of the airway during the percutaneous tracheostomy procedure to evaluate tracheal and laryngeal injury. RESULTS: Forty-one (72%) patients intubated with ETT with SSD and sixteen (28%) patients with standard ETT were included in the study. Forty-seven (83%) patients had a documented airway injury ranging from hyperemia to deep ulceration of the mucosa. A common tracheal injury was at the site of the tracheal cuff. Injury at the site of the subglottic suction device was seen in 5/41 (12%) patients. There were no in-hospital complications. CONCLUSIONS: Airway injury was common in critically ill patients following endotracheal intubation, and tracheal injury commonly occurred at the site of the endotracheal cuff. Injury occurred at the site of the subglottic suction port in some patients although the clinical consequences of these injuries remain unclear.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Les lésions laryngées et trachéales sont des complications connues de l'intubation endotrachéale. Les sondes endotrachéales (SET) avec dispositifs d'aspiration sous-glottiques (DASG) sont couramment utilisées aux soins intensifs. On craint qu'une hernie tissulaire dans l'orifice d'aspiration de ces dispositifs n'entraîne des lésions trachéales, résultant en de graves conséquences cliniques telles qu'une sténose trachéale. Nous avons cherché à décrire le type et l'emplacement des lésions trachéales observées chez les patients gravement malades intubés et à évaluer les lésions au port d'aspiration ainsi que les complications hospitalières associées à ces lésions. MéTHODE: Nous avons mené une étude observationnelle prospective auprès de 57 patients gravement malades admis dans une unité de soins intensifs de niveau 3 qui ont été intubés par voie endotrachéale et ont subi une trachéostomie percutanée. Les chercheurs ont réalisé une bronchoscopie et une évaluation photographique des voies aériennes au cours de la trachéostomie percutanée afin d'évaluer les lésions trachéales et laryngées. RéSULTATS: Quarante et un (72 %) intubés par SET avec DASG et seize (28 %) patients avec SET standard ont été inclus dans l'étude. Quarante-sept (83 %) patients ont présenté une lésion documentée des voies aériennes allant de l'hyperémie à l'ulcération profonde de la muqueuse. Une lésion trachéale commune était localisée sur le site du ballonnet trachéal. Une lésion au site du dispositif d'aspiration sous-glottique a été observée chez 5/41 (12 %) patients. Il n'y a pas eu de complications à l'hôpital. CONCLUSION: Les lésions des voies aériennes étaient fréquentes chez les patients gravement malades après une intubation endotrachéale, et les lésions trachéales se produisaient généralement au site du ballonnet endotrachéal. Des lésions se sont produites au site de l'orifice d'aspiration sous-glottique chez certains patients, bien que les conséquences cliniques de ces lésions restent incertaines.

Effect of Probiotics on Incident Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Growing interest in microbial dysbiosis during critical illness has raised questions about the therapeutic potential of microbiome modification with probiotics. Prior randomized trials in this population suggest that probiotics reduce infection, particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), although probiotic-associated infections have also been reported. Objective: To evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on preventing VAP, additional infections, and other clinically important outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized placebo-controlled trial in 44 ICUs in Canada, the United States, and Saudi Arabia enrolling adults predicted to require mechanical ventilation for at least 72 hours. A total of 2653 patients were enrolled from October 2013 to March 2019 (final follow-up, October 2020). Interventions: Enteral L rhamnosus GG (1 × 1010 colony-forming units) (n = 1321) or placebo (n = 1332) twice daily in the ICU. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was VAP determined by duplicate blinded central adjudication. Secondary outcomes were other ICU-acquired infections including Clostridioides difficile infection, diarrhea, antimicrobial use, ICU and hospital length of stay, and mortality. Results: Among 2653 randomized patients (mean age, 59.8 years [SD], 16.5 years), 2650 (99.9%) completed the trial (mean age, 59.8 years [SD], 16.5 years; 1063 women [40.1%.] with a mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 22.0 (SD, 7.8) and received the study product for a median of 9 days (IQR, 5-15 days). VAP developed among 289 of 1318 patients (21.9%) receiving probiotics vs 284 of 1332 controls (21.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.03 (95% CI, 0.87-1.22; P = .73, absolute difference, 0.6%, 95% CI, -2.5% to 3.7%). None of the 20 prespecified secondary outcomes, including other ICU-acquired infections, diarrhea, antimicrobial use, mortality, or length of stay showed a significant difference. Fifteen patients (1.1%) receiving probiotics vs 1 (0.1%) in the control group experienced the adverse event of L rhamnosus in a sterile site or the sole or predominant organism in a nonsterile site (odds ratio, 14.02; 95% CI, 1.79-109.58; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Among critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation, administration of the probiotic L rhamnosus GG compared with placebo, resulted in no significant difference in the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia. These findings do not support the use of L rhamnosus GG in critically ill patients. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02462590.

Association between supportive interventions and healthcare utilization and outcomes in patients on long-term prescribed opioid therapy presenting to acute healthcare settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Long-term prescription of opioids by healthcare professionals has been linked to poor individual patient outcomes and high resource utilization. Supportive strategies in this population regarding acute healthcare settings may have substantial impact. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of primary studies. The studies were included according to the following criteria: 1) age 18 and older; 2) long-term prescribed opioid therapy; 3) acute healthcare setting presentation from a complication of opioid therapy; 4) evaluating a supportive strategy; 5) comparing the effectiveness of different interventions; 6) addressing patient or healthcare related outcomes. We performed a qualitative analysis of supportive strategies identified. We pooled patient and system related outcome data for each supportive strategy. RESULTS: A total of 5664 studies were screened and 19 studies were included. A total of 9 broad categories of supportive strategies were identified. Meta-analysis was performed for the "supports for patients in pain" supportive strategy on two system-related outcomes using a ratio of means. The number of emergency department (ED) visits were significantly reduced for cohort studies (n = 6, 0.36, 95% CI [0.20-0.62], I2 = 87%) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 3, 0.71, 95% CI [0.61-0.82], I2 = 0%). The number of opioid prescriptions at ED discharge was significantly reduced for RCTs (n = 3, 0.34, 95% CI [0.14-0.82], I2 = 78%). CONCLUSION: For patients presenting to acute healthcare settings with complications related to long-term opioid therapy, the intervention with the most robust data is "supports for patients in pain".

Data initiatives supporting critical care research and quality improvement in Canada: an environmental scan and narrative review.

PURPOSE: Collection and analysis of health data are crucial to achieving high-quality clinical care, research, and quality improvement. This review explores existing hospital, regional, provincial and national data platforms in Canada to identify gaps and barriers, and recommend improvements for data science. SOURCE: The Canadian Critical Care Trials Group and the Canadian Critical Care Translational Biology Group undertook an environmental survey using list-identified names and keywords in PubMed and the grey literature, from the Canadian context. Findings were grouped into sections, corresponding to geography, purpose, and patient sub-group initiatives, using a narrative qualitative approach. Emerging themes, impressions, and recommendations towards improving data initiatives were generated. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In Canada, the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database contains high-level clinical data on every adult and child discharged from acute care facilities; however, it does not contain data from Quebec, critical care-specific severity of illness risk-adjustment scores, physiologic data, or data pertaining to medication use. Provincially mandated critical care platforms in four provinces contain more granular data, and can be used to risk adjust and link to within-province data sets; however, no inter-provincial collaborative mechanism exists. There is very limited infrastructure to collect and link biological samples from critically ill patients nationally. Comprehensive international clinical data sets may inform future Canadian initiatives. CONCLUSION: Clinical and biological data collection among critically ill patients in Canada is not sufficiently coordinated, and lags behind other jurisdictions. An integrated and inclusive critical care data platform is a key clinical and scientific priority in Canada.

Insights Into a "Negative" ICU Trial Derived From Gene Expression Profiling.

OBJECTIVES: Randomized controlled trials in the ICU often fail to show differences in endpoints between groups. We sought to explore reasons for this at a molecular level by analyzing transcriptomic data from a recent negative trial. Our objectives were to determine if randomization successfully balanced transcriptomic features between groups, to assess transcriptomic heterogeneity among the study subjects included, and to determine if the study drug had any effect at the gene expression level. DESIGN: Bioinformatics analysis of transcriptomic and clinical data collected in the course of a randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary academic mixed medical-surgical ICU. PATIENTS: Adult, critically ill patients expected to require invasive mechanical ventilation more than 48 hours. INTERVENTIONS: Lactoferrin or placebo delivered enterally and via an oral swab for up to 28 days. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We found no major imbalances in transcriptomic features between groups. Unsupervised analysis did not reveal distinct clusters among patients at the time of enrollment. There were marked differences in gene expression between early and later time points. Patients in the lactoferrin group showed changes in the expression of genes associated with immune pathways known to be associated with lactoferrin. CONCLUSIONS: In this clinical trial, transcriptomic data provided a useful complement to clinical data, suggesting that the reasons for the negative result were less likely related to the biological efficacy of the study drug, and may instead have been related to poor sensitivity of the clinical outcomes. In larger studies, transcriptomics may also prove useful in predicting response to treatment.

Factors influencing decisions by critical care physicians to withdraw life-sustaining treatments in critically ill adult patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Most deaths in critically ill patients with severe traumatic brain injury are associated with a decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatments. We aimed to identify the behavioural determinants that influence recommendations by critical care physicians to consider the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments in this population. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive qualitative study based on the Theoretical Domains Framework of critical care physicians caring for patients with severe traumatic brain injury across Canada. We stratified critical care physicians by regions and used a purposive sampling strategy. We conducted semistructured phone interviews using a piloted and pretested interview guide. We transcribed the interviews verbatim and verified the content for accuracy. We performed the analysis using a 3-step approach: coding, generation of specific beliefs and generation of specific themes. RESULTS: We recruited 20 critical care physicians across 4 geographic regions. After reaching saturation, we identified 7 core themes across 4 Theoretical Domains Framework domains for factors relevant to the decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatments. Four factors (i.e., clinical triggers, social triggers, interaction with families and intentions with medical decisions) were identified before the decision is made and 3 were identified during the decision-making process (i.e., considerations, priorities and knowledge needs). We identified multiple themes reflecting internal (n = 18, 8 Theoretical Domains Framework domains) and external (n = 15, 6 Theoretical Domains Framework domains) influences on the decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatments. INTERPRETATION: We identified several core themes and domains considered by critical care physicians in Canada in the decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatments in critically ill patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Future research should aim at identifying the factors influencing surrogate decision-makers in the decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatments in these patients.

Relationship Between Near-Infrared Spectroscopy-Derived Cerebral Oxygenation and Delirium in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: A common neurological complication of critical illness is delirium, defined as an acute change in level of consciousness, with impaired attention and disorganized thinking. Patients with delirium have increased risk of long-term cognitive dysfunction and mortality. The cause is unknown, which limits our ability to design therapeutic interventions. In patients undergoing surgery, low regional cerebral oxygenation (rSO2), as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), is associated with postoperative neurological dysfunction (eg delirium and long-term cognitive impairment). However, the relationship between NIRS-derived rSO2 and neurological outcomes in critically ill patients is unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the utilization of NIRS-derived rSO2 in critically ill patients outside the operating theater. We aimed to examine the relationship between rSO2 and neurological outcomes as well as to report rSO2 values in this population. METHODS: The following databases were searched from inception to August 14, 2017: Ovid MedLine, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. RESULTS: Of 1410 articles identified by the search strategy, 8 were ultimately selected for final review. Most (7 of 8) were published since 2014. These studies included a total of 213 patients primarily with shock or respiratory failure. A variety of devices were used to measure rSO2, including INVOS and FORESIGHT. The duration of recording varied from 5 minutes to 72 hours. Four of the 8 studies reported on neurological outcomes. In all 4 studies, rSO2 was lower in critically ill patients who were delirious compared to controls, but this was only statistically significant in 2 of the studies. The heterogeneity in devices and duration of recording precluded meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited literature describing rSO2 in critically ill patients outside the operating room. Although there may be a slight signal of an association between low rSO2 and delirium, more study is needed to explore this relationship.

Frailty and Aging: How the Danish Experience Might Inform Canada.

Scandinavian countries are widely acknowledged as leaders in innovative models of care for their aging populations. To learn what might be potentially applicable to the health system in Canada, the Canadian Frailty Network (CFN) led a contingent of government, administrative, research and patient representatives to Denmark to directly observe Danish approaches for providing healthcare for older adults living with frailty. In this paper and based on what we learned from these observations, we discuss healthcare challenges faced by Canada's aging population for which Danish strategies provide clues as to where and how to improve care and system efficiencies, thereby maximizing the value of Canadian healthcare.

Prevention of Nosocomial Infections in Critically Ill Patients With Lactoferrin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain preliminary evidence for the efficacy of lactoferrin as a preventative measure for nosocomial infections and inform the conduct of a definitive study. DESIGN: Phase 2, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: Medical-surgical ICUs. PATIENTS: Adult, critically ill patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: Randomized, eligible, consenting patients expected to require invasive mechanical ventilation more than 48 hours received lactoferrin both enterally and via an oral swab or a placebo of sterile water for up to 28 days. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 214 patients who were randomized, 212 received at least one dose of the intervention and were analyzed (107 lactoferrin and 105 placebo). Protocol adherence was 87.5%. Patients receiving lactoferrin were older (mean [SD], 66.3 [13.5] vs 62.5 [16.2] yr), had a higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (26.8 [7.8] vs 23.5 [7.9]), and need for vasopressors (79% vs 70%). Antibiotic-free days (17.3 [9.0] vs 18.5 [7.1]; p = 0.91) and nosocomial infections (0.3 [0.7] vs 0.4 [0.6] per patient; p = 0.48) did not differ between lactoferrin and placebo groups, respectively. Clinical outcomes for lactoferrin versus placebo were as follows: ICU length of stay (14.5 [18.0] vs 15.0 [37.3] d; p = 0.82), hospital length of stay (25.0 [25.9] vs 28.1 [44.6] d; p = 0.57), hospital mortality (41.1% vs 30.5%; p = 0.11), and 90-day mortality (44.9% vs 32.4%; p = 0.06). Biomarker levels did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lactoferrin did not improve the primary outcome of antibiotic-free days, nor any of the secondary outcomes. Our data do not support the conduct of a larger phase 3 trial.

Withholding Pantoprazole for Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Patients: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: A decreased frequency of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and a possible association of proton pump inhibitor use with Clostridium difficile and ventilator-associated pneumonia have raised concerns recently. The Reevaluating the Inhibition of Stress Erosions Pilot Trial determined the feasibility of undertaking a larger trial investigating the efficacy and safety of withholding proton pump inhibitors in critically ill patients. METHODS: In 10 ICUs, we randomized adult ICU patients anticipated to be mechanically ventilated for greater than or equal to 48 hours to receive 40 mg of IV pantoprazole daily or placebo. We excluded patients who had acute or recent gastrointestinal bleed, used dual antiplatelet agents, had a medical condition requiring proton pump inhibitor treatment, or had already received more than one dose of acid suppression daily. Patients, families, clinicians, and research staff were blinded. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of similar trials. MAIN RESULTS: Ninety-one patients (49 pantoprazole and 42 placebo) from 10 centers in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Australia were enrolled. All feasibility goals were met: 1) recruitment rate was 2.6 patients per month; 2) consent rate was 77.8%; and 3) protocol adherence was 97.7%. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding developed in 6.1% of patients in the pantoprazole group and 4.8% in the placebo group (p = 1.0). Ventilator-associated pneumonia developed in 20.4% of patients in the pantoprazole group and 14.3% in the placebo group (p = 0.58). C. difficile was identified in 4.1% pantoprazole patients and in 2.4% placebo patients (p = 1.0). We meta-analyzed five trials (604 patients) of proton pump inhibitors versus placebo; there was no statistically significant difference in the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, infections, or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the feasibility of a larger trial to evaluate the safety of withholding stress ulcer prophylaxis. Although the results are imprecise, there was no alarming increase in the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding; the effect of proton pump inhibitors on ventilator-associated pneumonia and C. difficile remain unclear.

Experts Consensus Recommendations for the Management of Calcium Channel Blocker Poisoning in Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a management approach for adults with calcium channel blocker poisoning. DATA SOURCES, STUDY SELECTION, AND DATA EXTRACTION: Following the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II instrument, initial voting statements were constructed based on summaries outlining the evidence, risks, and benefits. DATA SYNTHESIS: We recommend 1) for asymptomatic patients, observation and consideration of decontamination following a potentially toxic calcium channel blocker ingestion (1D); 2) as first-line therapies (prioritized based on desired effect), IV calcium (1D), high-dose insulin therapy (1D-2D), and norepinephrine and/or epinephrine (1D). We also suggest dobutamine or epinephrine in the presence of cardiogenic shock (2D) and atropine in the presence of symptomatic bradycardia or conduction disturbance (2D); 3) in patients refractory to the first-line treatments, we suggest incremental doses of high-dose insulin therapy if myocardial dysfunction is present (2D), IV lipid-emulsion therapy (2D), and using a pacemaker in the presence of unstable bradycardia or high-grade arteriovenous block without significant alteration in cardiac inotropism (2D); 4) in patients with refractory shock or who are periarrest, we recommend incremental doses of high-dose insulin (1D) and IV lipid-emulsion therapy (1D) if not already tried. We suggest venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, if available, when refractory shock has a significant cardiogenic component (2D), and using pacemaker in the presence of unstable bradycardia or high-grade arteriovenous block in the absence of myocardial dysfunction (2D) if not already tried; 5) in patients with cardiac arrest, we recommend IV calcium in addition to the standard advanced cardiac life-support (1D), lipid-emulsion therapy (1D), and we suggest venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation if available (2D). CONCLUSION: We offer recommendations for the stepwise management of calcium channel blocker toxicity. For all interventions, the level of evidence was very low.

Outcomes of elderly critically ill medical and surgical patients: a multicentre cohort study.

PURPOSE: Very elderly (over 80 yr of age) critically ill patients admitted to medical-surgical intensive care units (ICUs) have a high incidence of mortality, prolonged hospital length of stay, and dependent living conditions should they survive. The primary purpose of this study is to describe the outcomes and differences in outcomes between very elderly medical patients and their surgical counterparts admitted to Canadian ICUs, thereby informing decision-making for clinicians and substitute decision-makers. METHODS: This was a prospective multicentre cohort study of very elderly medical and surgical patients admitted to 22 Canadian academic and non-academic ICUs. Outcome measures included ICU length of stay and mortality, hospital length of stay and mortality, and disposition following hospital discharge. RESULTS: There were 1,671 patients evaluated in this study. Patient demographics included a mean age of 84.5 yr, baseline Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score of 22.4, baseline Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of 5.3, overall ICU mortality of 21.8%, and overall hospital mortality of 35.0%. Medical patient median ICU length of stay was 4.1 days, hospital length of stay was 16.2 days, ICU mortality was 26.5%, and hospital mortality was 41.5%. Surgical patient median ICU length of stay was 3.8 days, hospital length of stay was 20.1 days, ICU mortality was 18.7%, and hospital mortality was 31.6%. Only 45.0% of medical patients and 41.6% of surgical emergency patients were able to return home to live. CONCLUSIONS: In this large sample of critically ill medical and surgical patients, the admission SOFA score and hospital lengths of stay were not different between the two groups, but medical patients had longer ICU lengths of stay and higher ICU and hospital mortality than surgical patients.

Management of Adults With Hospital-acquired and Ventilator-associated Pneumonia: 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Thoracic Society.

It is important to realize that guidelines cannot always account for individual variation among patients. They are not intended to supplant physician judgment with respect to particular patients or special clinical situations. IDSA considers adherence to these guidelines to be voluntary, with the ultimate determination regarding their application to be made by the physician in the light of each patient's individual circumstances.These guidelines are intended for use by healthcare professionals who care for patients at risk for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), including specialists in infectious diseases, pulmonary diseases, critical care, and surgeons, anesthesiologists, hospitalists, and any clinicians and healthcare providers caring for hospitalized patients with nosocomial pneumonia. The panel's recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of HAP and VAP are based upon evidence derived from topic-specific systematic literature reviews.