Epidemiology and Burden of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia among Adult Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Portuguese, Multicenter, Retrospective Study (eVAP-PT Study).

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a prevailing nosocomial infection in critically ill patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (iMV). The impact of VAP is profound, adversely affecting patient outcomes and placing a significant burden on healthcare resources. This study assessed for the first time the contemporary VAP epidemiology in Portugal and its burden on the healthcare system and clinical outcomes. Additionally, resource consumption (duration of iMV, intensive care unit (ICU), hospital length of stay (LOS)) and empirical antimicrobial therapy were also evaluated. This multicenter, retrospective study included patients admitted to the hospital between July 2016 and December 2017 in a participating ICU, who underwent iMV for at least 48 h. Patients with a VAP diagnosis were segregated for further analysis (n = 197). Control patients, ventilated for >48 h but without a VAP diagnosis, were also included in a 1:1 ratio. Cumulative VAP incidence was computed. All-cause mortality was assessed at 28, 90, and 365 days after ICU admission. Cumulative VAP incidence was 9.2% (95% CI 8.0-10.5). The all-cause mortality rate in VAP patients was 24.9%, 34.0%, and 40.6%, respectively, and these values were similar to those observed in patients without VAP diagnosis. Further, patients with VAP had significantly longer ICU (27.5 vs. 11.0 days, p < 0.001) and hospital LOS (61 vs. 35.9 days, p < 0.001), more time under iMV (20.7 vs. 8.0 days, p < 0.001) and were more often subjected to tracheostomy (36.5 vs. 14.2%; p < 0.001). Patients with VAP who received inappropriate empirical antimicrobials had higher 28-day mortality, 34.3% vs. 19.5% (odds ratio 2.16, 95% CI 1.10-4.23), although the same was not independently associated with 1-year all-cause mortality (p = 0.107). This study described the VAP impact and burden on the Portuguese healthcare system, with approximately 9% of patients undergoing iMV for >48 h developing VAP, leading to increased resource consumption (longer ICU and hospital LOS). An unexpectedly high incidence of inappropriate, empirical antimicrobial therapy was also noted, being positively associated with a higher mortality risk of these patients. Knowledge of the Portuguese epidemiology characterization of VAP and its multidimensional impact is essential for efficient treatment and optimized long-term health outcomes of these patients.

Organ donation: the reality of an intensive care unit in Portugal. / Doação de órgãos: a realidade de uma unidade de cuidados intensivos portuguesa.

OBJECTIVE: To clinically and demographically characterize potential organ donors admitted to a general intensive care unit and analyze data on donated organs. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from 2010 to 2015 and analyzed demographic and clinical variables and the number of harvested organs and tissues. RESULTS: A total of 92 potential organ donors were identified, of whom eight were non-effective donors and 84 were effective donors (59.5% were expanded criteria donors). The mean age of the potential donors was 60.7 years, and the majority were men. Hemorrhagic stroke accounted for 55.4% of brain deaths. The most common blood type among the donors was A Rh+ (43.5%), and the most common comorbidity was arterial hypertension (43.3%). The most frequently collected organs were the kidneys (84.5%) and liver (66.7%). The average number of organs harvested per donor was 2.8, and this ratio was smaller for donors with expanded criteria compared to other donors. CONCLUSION: In most cases, potential organ donors died of brain death, were older than middle age, were male and were victims of a hemorrhagic stroke. The majority of the donors were expanded criteria donors and donated an average of two to three organs. The organs donated most frequently were the kidneys and liver.

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar, clínica e demograficamente, os potenciais doadores de órgãos admitidos em uma unidade de cuidados intensivos polivalente, bem como as respectivas coletas. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo, realizado no período de 2010 a 2015, analisando variáveis demográficas, clínicas e número de órgãos e tecidos captados. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 92 potenciais doadores de órgãos, dos quais 8 não efetivos e 84 efetivos (59,5% doadores de critérios expandidos). A média de idade dos potenciais doadores foi 60,7 anos e houve predomínio do sexo masculino. O acidente vascular cerebral hemorrágico originou 55,4% das mortes encefálicas. O principal grupo sanguíneo foi A Rh+ (43,5%) e, dentre as comorbidades, a hipertensão arterial (43,3%) foi a mais prevalente. Os rins (84,5%) e o fígado (66,7%) foram os órgãos mais frequentemente captados, e a razão de órgãos por doador foi 2,8, sendo inferior nos doadores de critérios expandidos em relação aos demais. CONCLUSÃO: O potencial doador de órgãos, em geral, foi a óbito por morte encefálica, estava acima da meia-idade, era do sexo masculino e vítima de acidente vascular cerebral hemorrágico. Ainda, a maioria era de doadores de critérios expandidos e doava, em média, dois a três órgãos, sendo os mais frequentes o fígado e os rins.

Mixoma auricular: uma causa rara de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico / Atrial myxoma: a rare cause of ischemic stroke

O mixoma auricular é uma causa rara de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico, sendo mais frequente em mulheres jovens. Sua etiologia é desconhecida, e as manifestações clínicas ocorrem por obstrução valvular, embolismo ou sintomas constitucionais. Descrevemos o caso de uma mulher de 62 anos com hemiparesia esquerda e ataxia da marcha, com evidência de lesões isquêmicas bilaterais na ressonância magnética craniencefálica. No ecocardiograma, identificou-se massa auricular esquerda sugestiva de mixoma, submetida à ressecção cirúrgica e confirmação histológica. Posteriormente, foi diagnosticada fibrilação auricular, sendo esta a complicação pós-operatória mais comum. Na suspeita de causa cardiogênica, o ecocardiograma deve ser prontamente realizado, pois o mixoma é potencialmente tratável e tem baixo risco de recorrência após a ressecção cirúrgica. Este caso realça a importância do estudo complementar no acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico e a necessidade de excluir uma fonte embólica proximal na presença de isquemia cerebral em territórios vasculares diferentes.(AU)

The atrial myxoma is a rare cause of ischemic stroke, and is more common in young women. Its etiology is unknown, and clinical manifestations occur due to valve obstruction, embolism or constitutional symptoms. We describe the case of a 62-year-old woman with left hemiparesis and gait ataxia, with evidence of bilateral ischemic lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging. On the echocardiogram, a left atrial mass suggestive of myxoma was identified; it was resected, and histologically confirmed. Later, an atrial fibrillation was diagnosed, which is the most common postoperative complication. On suspicion of a cardiogenic cause, the echocardiogram should be promptly performed because the myxoma is potentially treatable with a low risk of recurrence after surgical resection. This case highlights the importance of complementary study in ischemic stroke, and the need to rule out a proximal embolic source in the presence of cerebral ischemia in different vascular territories.(AU)

Doação de órgãos: a realidade de uma unidade de cuidados intensivos portuguesa / Organ donation: the reality of an intensive care unit in Portugal

RESUMO Objetivo: Caracterizar, clínica e demograficamente, os potenciais doadores de órgãos admitidos em uma unidade de cuidados intensivos polivalente, bem como as respectivas coletas. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, realizado no período de 2010 a 2015, analisando variáveis demográficas, clínicas e número de órgãos e tecidos captados. Resultados: Foram encontrados 92 potenciais doadores de órgãos, dos quais 8 não efetivos e 84 efetivos (59,5% doadores de critérios expandidos). A média de idade dos potenciais doadores foi 60,7 anos e houve predomínio do sexo masculino. O acidente vascular cerebral hemorrágico originou 55,4% das mortes encefálicas. O principal grupo sanguíneo foi A Rh+ (43,5%) e, dentre as comorbidades, a hipertensão arterial (43,3%) foi a mais prevalente. Os rins (84,5%) e o fígado (66,7%) foram os órgãos mais frequentemente captados, e a razão de órgãos por doador foi 2,8, sendo inferior nos doadores de critérios expandidos em relação aos demais. Conclusão: O potencial doador de órgãos, em geral, foi a óbito por morte encefálica, estava acima da meia-idade, era do sexo masculino e vítima de acidente vascular cerebral hemorrágico. Ainda, a maioria era de doadores de critérios expandidos e doava, em média, dois a três órgãos, sendo os mais frequentes o fígado e os rins.

ABSTRACT Objective: To clinically and demographically characterize potential organ donors admitted to a general intensive care unit and analyze data on donated organs. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from 2010 to 2015 and analyzed demographic and clinical variables and the number of harvested organs and tissues. Results: A total of 92 potential organ donors were identified, of whom eight were non-effective donors and 84 were effective donors (59.5% were expanded criteria donors). The mean age of the potential donors was 60.7 years, and the majority were men. Hemorrhagic stroke accounted for 55.4% of brain deaths. The most common blood type among the donors was A Rh+ (43.5%), and the most common comorbidity was arterial hypertension (43.3%). The most frequently collected organs were the kidneys (84.5%) and liver (66.7%). The average number of organs harvested per donor was 2.8, and this ratio was smaller for donors with expanded criteria compared to other donors. Conclusion: In most cases, potential organ donors died of brain death, were older than middle age, were male and were victims of a hemorrhagic stroke. The majority of the donors were expanded criteria donors and donated an average of two to three organs. The organs donated most frequently were the kidneys and liver.