Predictors of outcome after exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: The outcome after hospitalization for an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unfavorable and uncertainty exists about factors predicting short and long-term prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical predictors of length of hospital stay (LOS) and three-year mortality after COPD exacerbations requiring hospitalization. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients hospitalized with COPD exacerbation were enrolled. Disease severity was estimated by FEV(1,) body mass index (BMI), Medical Research Council (MRC) chronic dyspnoea scale, previous hospitalizations, need for long-term oxygen treatment (LTOT), arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressures (PaO(2) and PaCO(2)), pH and respiratory rate. Outcome was assessed by LOS and three-year mortality. MAIN RESULTS: Out of 81 patients enrolled, three-year mortality data were available for 61. LOS was related to BMI, MRC scale and respiratory rate. Three-year mortality was related to FEV(1), BMI, MRC scale, LTOT, and PaCO(2). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that MRC scale was the only independent determinant of LOS, [p = 0.001, odds ratio (OR) 7.67 (95% CI 2.50-23.41)], whereas MRC scale and BMI predicted three-year mortality, [p = 0.001, OR 8.28 (95% CI 2.25-30.47) and p = 0.006, OR 6.91 (95% CI 1.74-27.48), respectively]. Cox regression analysis demonstrated identical results. Using receiver-operator-optimized thresholds for these variables (MRC > 2 and BMI < 25 kg/m(2)), we propose a prediction model that accurately determines three-year mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, MRC scale and BMI predicted outcome after COPD hospitalization. Pending further validation, this predictive model may contribute to identify patients with poor outcome even when spirometric data are unavailable.

Predictors of positive sputum cultures in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although sputum culture in patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD is of uncertain value, it is routinely done. The ability to clinically identify patients likely or unlikely to yield bacterial sputum isolates would potentially reduce unnecessary tests. The objective of this study was to identify the clinical predictors of positive sputum cultures in this patient population. METHODS: Consecutive patients with a COPD exacerbation requiring an emergency visit were prospectively enrolled. Quantitative sputum culture was performed on-site. Data on current smoking, sputum purulence, FEV(1), Medical Research Council chronic dyspnoea scale, BMI, severe exacerbations in the preceding year requiring hospitalization, PaO(2), PaCO(2), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, and oral and inhaled steroid use were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 94 patients enrolled, sputum from 36 yielded bacterial pathogens. These patients were characterized by a higher frequency of purulent sputum, lower FEV(1), BMI and PaO(2,) higher APACHE II score and more frequent use of inhaled steroids (P < 0.05). On multivariate regression, purulent sputum, FEV(1) and BMI were independent determinants of a positive sputum culture. Using receiver-operator-optimized thresholds for these variables (purulent sputum, FEV(1) < 35% predicted and BMI < or = 22 kg/m(2)), we proposed a regression coefficient-weighted prediction model that accurately determined the likelihood of sputum bacterial isolation. CONCLUSIONS: A prediction model based on the variables of purulent sputum, FEV(1) and BMI predicted sputum culture result with about 90% accuracy. Pending further validation, this model may save valuable healthcare resources.

Fasciitis and septic shock complicating retrocecal appendicitis.

INTRODUCTION: A case of fasciitis and septic shock complicating retrocecal appendicitis is presented. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with lumbar pain, fever of recent onset and subsequently developed septic shock attributed to fasciitis of abdominal, flank and groin region. On intensive care unit, he was managed with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics and surgical debridement. An abdominal computed tomography scan confirmed the findings of fasciitis and was negative for intra-abdominal pathology. In the following days, an enterocutaneous fistula with foul smelling fluid was noted. A new surgical exploration revealed the presence of a ruptured retrocecal appendix, and right hemicolectomy was performed. The postoperative period was long but uneventful. CONCLUSION: Retrocecal appendicitis can rarely be presented as deteriorating cellulitis-fasciitis in the right abdominal, flank or groin region, with or without abdominal symptoms.

Cardiac arrest provoked by itraconazole and amiodarone interaction: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Azoles, and specifically itraconazole, are often prescribed for the treatment of fungal diseases or empirically for persistent sepsis in patients who are neutropenic or in intensive care. Occasional cardiovascular adverse events have been associated with itraconazole use, and are usually attributed to the interaction of itraconazole with cisapride, terfenadine or digoxin. Its interaction with amiodarone has not been previously described. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at our facility for an extensive ischemic stroke associated with atrial fibrillation. Due to rapid ventricular response he was started on intravenous amiodarone and few days later itraconazole was also prescribed for presumed candidemia. After receiving the first dose our patient became profoundly hypotensive but responded rapidly to fluids and adrenaline. Then, two months later, itraconazole was again prescribed for confirmed fungemia. After receiving the first dose via a central venous catheter our patient became hypotensive and subsequently arrested. He was resuscitated successfully, and as no other cause was identified the arrest was attributed to septic shock and his antifungal treatment was changed to caspofungin. When sensitivity test results became available, antifungal treatment was down-staged to itraconazole and immediately after drug administration our patient suffered another arrest and was once again resuscitated successfully. This time the arrest was related to itraconazole, which was discontinued, and from then on our patient remained stable until his discharge to our neurology ward. CONCLUSIONS: Itraconazole and amiodarone coadministration can lead to serious cardiovascular adverse events in patients who are critically ill. Intensivists, pharmacists and medical physicians should be aware of the interaction of these two commonly used drugs.

Clinical prediction of pulmonary embolism in respiratory emergencies.

INTRODUCTION: The initial management of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) is commonly done in respiratory departments, but is based on clinical prediction rules developed in other settings. OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of established prediction rules for PE in patients with respiratory emergencies. DESIGN: A prospective study MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients presenting to respiratory emergency department with acute symptoms and signs suggestive of PE (n=183) and subsequently admitted to hospital were prospectively enrolled. Wells' rule, original and revised Geneva scores, their components separately, and other common clinical parameters were recorded during admission. PE was diagnosed by perfusion lung scanning, computed tomographic pulmonary angiography, lower limb venous ultrasonography, magnetic resonance pulmonary angiography, and/or pulmonary angiography. RESULTS: PE was confirmed in 52 and ruled out in 131 patients. Tachycardia, atelectasis, elevated hemidiaphragm, clinical signs of deep-venous thrombosis, physician perception that PE is the likeliest diagnosis, previous thromboembolism, chest pain, and absence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cough were associated with the presence of PE. These significant parameters could be combined for accurate pre-test PE prediction, with a newly devised combinatorial tool exhibiting the highest area under curve [0.92 (95% CI: 0.87-0.97)], followed by Wells' rule [0.86 (95% CI 0.79-0.92)], the revised Geneva score [0.83 (95% CI 0.77-0.90)], and the original Geneva score [0.75 (95% CI 0.68-0.83)]. CONCLUSION: Wells' rule and the revised Geneva score are more useful in diagnosing PE in respiratory emergencies. A newly devised prediction tool can be of even greater accuracy in this patient population.