Early diastolic dysfunction is associated with intensive care unit mortality in cancer patients presenting with septic shock.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients present a high risk of sepsis and are exposed to cardiotoxic drugs during chemotherapy. Myocardial dysfunction is common during septic shock and can be evaluated at bedside using echocardiography. The aim of this study was to identify early cardiac dysfunctions associated with intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in cancer patients presenting with septic shock. METHODS: Seventy-two cancer patients admitted to the ICU underwent echocardiography within 48 h of developing septic shock. History of malignancies, anticancer treatments, and clinical characteristics were prospectively collected. RESULTS: ICU mortality was 48%. Diastolic dysfunction (e' ≤8 cm s(-1)) was an independent echocardiographic parameter associated with ICU mortality {odds ratio (OR) 7.7 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.58-23.38]; P<0.001}. Overall, three factors were independently associated with ICU mortality: sepsis-related organ failure assessment score at admission [OR 1.35 ( 95% CI, 1.05-1.74); P=0.017], occurrence of diastolic dysfunction [OR 16.6 (95% CI, 3.28-84.6); P=0.001], and need for conventional mechanical ventilation [OR 16.6 (95% CI, 3.6-77.15); P<0.001]. Diastolic dysfunction was not associated with exposure to cardiotoxic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Early diastolic dysfunction is a strong and independent predictor of mortality in cancer patients presenting with septic shock. It is not associated with exposure to cardiotoxic drugs. Further studies incorporating monitoring of diastolic function and therapeutic interventions improving cardiac relaxation need to be evaluated in cancer patients presenting with septic shock.

Rescue transtracheal jet ventilation during difficult intubation in patients with upper airway cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The failure rates of intubation and/or mask ventilation are higher in patients with neck or upper airway disease. To ensure oxygenation, rescue trans-tracheal jet ventilation (RTTJV) may be used. In this critical situation, a high rate of complications has been reported. The aim of this study was to report RTTJV performed by a jet ventilator with an end-expiratory pressure control in an experienced institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From a computerised database of 63,905 anaesthesia cases, the anaesthetic reports of patients who underwent emergency RTTJV during intubation were studied retrospectively. The following information were analysed: anaesthetic procedures, data from the monitoring: lowest SpO2, duration of SpO2<90%, and complications. Success of emergency RTTJV was defined when SpO2 was>90% under jet ventilation. RESULTS: RTTJV was used in 31 patients, of whom 26 had upper airway cancer, (pre-treatment, n=9, post-treatment, n=17). Difficult intubation was anticipated in 15 out of 31 cases including six fiber-optic-aided intubations under spontaneous ventilation. RTTJV was effective in all cases with quick restoration of oxygenation (SpO2>90%). During jet ventilation, final airway control was performed either by oral intubation (n=25) or tracheotomy (n=1) in a short delay (mean: 8.1±1.7min). Subcutaneous emphysema was observed in one case without pneumothorax. CONCLUSION: RTTJV with end-expiratory pressure control allowed oxygenation during difficult intubation, with a low rate of complications.