The NUTRIC Score as a Tool to Predict Mortality and Increased Resource Utilization in Intensive Care Patients with Sepsis.

The Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill score (NUTRIC) is an important nutritional risk assessment instrument for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the power of the score to predict mortality in patients treated for sepsis and to forecast increased resource utilization and nursing workload in the ICU. The NUTRIC score predicted mortality (AUC 0.833, p < 0.001) with the optimal cut-off value of 6 points. Among patients with a score ≥ 6 on ICU admission, the 28-day mortality was 61%, and 10% with a score < 6 (p < 0.001). In addition, a NUTRIC score of ≥6 was associated with a more intense use of ICU resources, as evidenced by a higher proportion of patients requiring vasopressor infusion (98 vs. 82%), mechanical ventilation (99 vs. 87%), renal replacement therapy (54 vs. 26%), steroids (68 vs. 31%), and blood products (60 vs. 43%); the nursing workload was also significantly higher in this group. In conclusion, the NUTRIC score obtained at admission to the ICU provided a good discriminative value for mortality and makes it possible to identify patients who will ultimately require intense use of ICU resources and an associated increase in the nursing workload during treatment.

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Reduces Postoperative Analgesic Requirement in Patients Undergoing Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Given the rising rate of opioid-related adverse drug events during postsurgical pain management, a nonpharmacologic therapy that could decrease analgesic medication requirements would be of immense value. We designed a prospective, placebo-and-randomized controlled trial to assess the clinical effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TEAS) on the postoperative patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) requirement for morphine, as well as side effects and recovery profile after inguinal hernia repair. Seventy-one subjects undergoing inguinal hernia repair with a standardized anesthetic technique were randomly assigned to one of three analgesic treatment regimens: PCA + TEAS (n = 24); PCA + sham-TEAS (no electrical stimulation) (n = 24), and PCA only (n = 23). The postoperative PCA requirement, pain scores, opioid-related side effects, and blood cortisol levels were recorded. TEAS treatment resulted in a twofold decrease in the analgesic requirement and decreased pain level reported by the patients. In addition, a significant reduction of cortisol level was reported in the TEAS group at 24 h postoperatively compared to the sham and control groups. We conclude that TEAS is a safe and effective option for reducing analgesic consumption and postoperative pain following inguinal hernia repair.

Biomarkers of Neurological Outcome After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage as Early Predictors at Discharge from an Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid bleeding is associated with brain injuries and ranges from almost negligible to acute and life threatening. The main objectives were to study changes in brain-specific biomarker levels in patients after an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) in relation to early clinical findings, severity scores, and intensive care unit (ICU) outcome. Analysis was done to identify specific biomarkers as predictors of a bad outcome in the acute treatment phase. METHODS: Analysis was performed for the proteins of neurofilament, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT), and for the proteins of glial cells, S100B, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Outcomes were assessed at discharge from the ICU and analyzed based on the grade in the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Patients were classified into two groups: with a good outcome (Group 1: GOS IV-V, n = 24) and with a bad outcome (Group 2: GOS I-III, n = 31). Blood samples were taken upon admission to the ICU and afterward daily for up to 6 days. RESULTS: In Group 1, the level of S100B (1.0, 0.9, 0.7, 2.0, 1.0, 0.3 ng/mL) and NSE (1.5, 2.0, 1.6, 1.2, 16.6, 2.2 ng/mL) was significantly lower than in Group 2 (S100B: 4.7, 4.8, 4.4, 4.5, 6.6, 6.8 ng/mL; NSE: 4.0, 4.1, 4.3, 3.8, 4.4, 2.5 1.1 ng/mL) on day 1-6, respectively. MAPT was significantly lower only on the first and second day (83.2 ± 25.1, 132.7 ± 88.1 pg/mL in Group 1 vs. 625.0 ± 250.7, 616.4 ± 391.6 pg/mL in Group 2). GFAP was elevated in both groups from day 1 to 6. In the ROC analysis, S100B showed the highest ability to predict bad ICU outcome of the four biomarkers measured on admission [area under the curve (AUC) 0.81; 95% CI 0.67-0.94, p < 0.001]. NSE and MAPT also had significant predictive value (AUC 0.71; 95% CI 0.54-0.87, p = 0.01; AUC 0.74; 95% CI 0.55-0.92, p = 0.01, respectively). A strong negative correlation between the GOS and S100B and the GOS and NSE was recorded on days 1-5, and between the GOS and MAPT on day 1. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidence that brain biomarkers such as S100B, NSE, GFAP, and MAPT increase significantly in patients following aSAH. There is a direct relationship between the neurological outcome in the acute treatment phase and the levels of S100B, NSE, and MAPT. The detection of brain-specific biomarkers in conjunction with clinical data may constitute a valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool in the early phase of aSAH treatment.

External validation of the sepsis severity score.

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Mortality rates are high, exceeding 50% in patients with septic shock. The sepsis severity score (SSS) was developed to determine the severity of sepsis and as a prognostic model. The aim of this study was to externally validate the SSS model. METHODS: Calibration and discrimination of the SSS were retrospectively evaluated using data from a single-center sepsis registry. RESULTS: Data from 156 septic patients were recorded; 56% of them had septic shock, 94% of patients required mechanical ventilation. The observed hospital mortality was 60.3%. The mean SSS value was 94.4 (95% CI 90.5-98.3). The SSS presented excellent discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.806 (95% CI 0.734-0.866). The pairwise comparison of APACHE II (AUC = 0.789; 95% CI 0.715-0.851) with SSS and 1st day SOFA (AUC = 0.75; 95% CI 0.673-0.817) with SSS revealed no significant differences in discrimination between the models. The calibration of the SSS was good with the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit H test 9.59, P > 0.05. Analyses of calibration curve show absence of accurate predictions in lower deciles of lower risk (2nd and 4th). CONCLUSION: The SSS demonstrated excellent discrimination. The calibration evaluation gave conflicting results; the H-L test result indicated a good calibration, while the visual analysis of the calibration curve suggested the opposite. The SSS requires further evaluation before it can be safely recommended as an outcome prediction model.

Analysis of management protocols regarding ineffective maintenance of organ functions in patients treated at the Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital in Wroclaw.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged support of organ functions without therapeutic benefit represents a serious problem of therapy in intensive care units (ICUs). This kind of treatment, called "futile therapy", prolongs the process of dying and should be avoided. In Poland, the guidelines and protocol defining the best clinical practice for the avoidance of futile therapy in ICUs was published in 2014. The aim of study was to analyse the protocols concerning futile therapy in the general ICU in the University Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland during the years 2015-2018. METHODS: The content of protocols was analysed. The protocols contained information on clinical problems, ethical and social aspects, data on communication with relatives, and therapeutic procedures regarded as futile and consequently withheld or withdrawn. RESULTS: During the study 1660 patients were treated in the ICU, of whom 557 patients died. Protocols regarding futile therapy were analysed in 146 patients. The diagnosis before starting the protocol was multiorgan failure (56%), permanent CNS injury (39%), respiratory failure (3%), and circulatory failure (2%). The withholding of therapeutic procedures was preferred, and the cases of withdrawal were rare. All patients with protocols died during hospital stay, 81.5% of them in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: The protocols concerning futile therapy were instituted in 1 in 10 patients treated in the ICU in Wroclaw, which comprised was nearly one-fifth of all ICU deaths. The withholding of futile therapeutic procedures was preferred in comparison to withdrawing. Communication with relatives was essential to the process of avoiding futile therapy.

Brain-Specific Biomarkers as Mortality Predictors after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) is a serious condition with a high mortality and high permanent disability rate for those who survive the initial haemorrhage. The purpose of this study was to investigate markers specific to the central nervous system as potential in-hospital mortality predictors after aSAH. In patients with an external ventricular drain, enolase, S100B, and GFAP levels were measured in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on days 1, 2, and 3 after aSAH. Compared to survivors, non-survivors showed a significantly higher peak of S100B and enolase levels in the blood (S100B: 5.7 vs. 1.5 ng/mL, p = 0.031; enolase: 6.1 vs. 1.4 ng/mL, p = 0.011) and the CSF (S100B: 18.3 vs. 0.9 ng/mL, p = 0.042; enolase: 109.2 vs. 6.1 ng/mL, p = 0.015). Enolase showed the highest level of predictability at 1.8 ng/mL in the blood (AUC of 0.873) and 80.0 ng/mL in the CSF (AUC of 0.889). The predictive ability of S100B was also very good with a threshold of 5.7 ng/mL in the blood (AUC 0.825) and 4.5 ng/mL in the CSF (AUC 0.810). In conclusion, enolase and S100B, but not GFAP, might be suitable as biomarkers for the early prediction of in-hospital mortality after aSAH.

The relationship between the time of cerebral desaturation episodes and outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a preliminary study.

In this preliminary study we investigated the relationship between the time of cerebral desaturation episodes (CDEs), the severity of the haemorrhage, and the short-term outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). Thirty eight patents diagnosed with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage were analysed in this study. Regional cerebral oxygenation (rSO2) was assessed using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). A CDE was defined as rSO2 < 60% with a duration of at least 30 min. The severity of the aSAH was assessed using the Hunt and Hess scale and the short-term outcome was evaluated utilizing the Glasgow Outcome Scale. CDEs were found in 44% of the group. The total time of the CDEs and the time of the longest CDE on the contralateral side were longer in patients with severe versus moderate aSAH [h:min]: 8:15 (6:26-8:55) versus 1:24 (1:18-4:18), p = 0.038 and 2:05 (2:00-5:19) versus 0:48 (0:44-2:12), p = 0.038. The time of the longest CDE on the ipsilateral side was longer in patients with poor versus good short-term outcome [h:min]: 5:43 (3:05-9:36) versus 1:47 (0:42-2:10), p = 0.018. The logistic regression model for poor short-term outcome included median ABP, the extent of the haemorrhage in the Fisher scale and the time of the longest CDE. We have demonstrated that the time of a CDE is associated with the severity of haemorrhage and short-term outcome in aSAH patients. A NIRS measurement may provide valuable predictive information and could be considered as additional method of neuromonitoring of patients with aSAH.

Withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment: Experiences in limiting futile therapy from three Polish intensive care departments.

BACKGROUND: In intensive care units (ICUs), a patient's vital functions may be maintained, regardless of the patient's chances of survival. A key issue is how to precisely determine the moment in which life-support treatment should be withheld. In many countries, the decision-making process is regulated by the guidelines of scientific societies. However, heuristic errors may influence this process. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess factors involved in decisions to implement or withhold treatment in general ICUs in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of patients treated in 3 clinical ICUs of general, cardiosurgical and neurosurgical profile were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with a diagnosis of brain death were finally excluded from the study. RESULTS: The records of 1,449 patients hospitalized between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014 were analyzed. Of these, 226 patient cases were evaluated. There were no correlations between the placement of restrictions on resuscitation in specific cases, use of noradrenaline, frequency of blood gas testing, and patients' age. There was a relationship between these factors and the duration of hospitalization in the ICU. There was a direct relation between a "do not resuscitate" (DNR) order in a patient's record and the frequency of both resuscitation procedures and withholding catecholamine treatment in the hours preceding a patient's death. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment was withheld in about 20% of cases involving dying patients in analyzed ICUs, regardless of age. Placing a limit on treatment consisted of either withholding new procedures or withdrawing existing therapy. The length of stay in the ICU affected the decisions to limit treatment.

Pharmacotherapy of pain in cancer patients - recommendations of the Polish Association for the Study of Pain, Polish Society of Palliative Medicine, Polish Society of Oncology, Polish Society of Family Medicine, Polish Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy and Association of Polish Surgeons.

Guidelines for the pharmacotherapy of pain in cancer patients were developed by a group of 21 experts of the Polish Association for the Study of Pain, Polish Society of Palliative Medicine, Polish Society of Oncology, Polish Society of Family Medicine, Polish Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy and Association of Polish Surgeons. During a series of meetings, the experts carried out an overview of the available literature on the treatment of pain in cancer patients, paying particular attention to systematic reviews and more recent randomized studies not included in the reviews. The search was performed in the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases using such keywords as "pain", "cancer", "pharmacotherapy", "analgesics", and similar. The overviewed articles included studies of pathomechanisms of pain in cancer patients, methods for the assessment of pain in cancer patients, and drugs used in the pharmacotherapy of pain in cancer patients, including non-opioid analgesics (paracetamol, metamizole, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), opioids (strong and weak), coanalgesics (glucocorticosteroids, α2-adrenergic receptor agonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, topical medications) as well as drugs used to reduce the adverse effects of the analgesic treatment and symptoms other than pain in patients subjected to opioid treatment. The principles of opioid rotation and the management of patients with opioidophobia were discussed and recommendations for the management of opioid-induced hyperalgesia were presented. Drugs used in different types of pain experienced by cancer patients, including neuropathic pain, visceral pain, bone pain, and breakthrough pain, were included in the overview. Most common interactions of drugs used in the pharmacotherapy of pain in cancer patients as well as the principles for the management of crisis situations. In the final part of the recommendations, the issues of pain and care in dying patients are discussed. Recommendations are addressed to physicians of different specialties involved in the diagnostics and treatment of cancer in their daily practice. It is the hope of the experts who took part in the development of these recommendations that the recommendations would become helpful in everyday medical practice and thus contribute to the improvement in the quality of care and the efficacy of pain treatment in this group of patients.

The analgesic efficiency of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block after caesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVES: The ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a supporting method of pain relief after different types of surgical and gynecological procedures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the analgesic effects of the TAP-block in patients undergoing caesarean section. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 88 women undergoing elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were prospectively randomized into two groups. In the first group, an ultrasound-guided bilateral TAP block was performed using 40 mL 0.25% bupivacaine, while the second group was treated without a regional nerve block. Both groups received a standard analgesia protocol with intravenous paracetamol administered every 6 hours and intravenous tramadol on-demand, delivered using the Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) method. Pain intensity was assessed according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) directly after the TAP block and at 3, 6 and 12 hours postoperatively. Any patient complaints and side-effects during the postoperative period were recorded. RESULTS: The TAP block resulted in a significant reduction of pain intensity using the visual analogue scale after 3, 6 and 12 hours (p < 0.05) and a significant decrease in tramadol administration (p < 0.05) during the first 12 hours postoperatively. No significant differences in the heart rate and blood pressure were noted between groups (p > 0.05). There were no complications related to the TAP block. CONCLUSIONS: The TAP block is a safe and effective adjunctive method of pain relief after caesarean delivery.

Immunomodulatory properties of human recombinant lactoferrin in mice: Implications for therapeutic use in humans.

BACKGROUND: Trauma and major surgery cause extensive immune hyporeactivity in patients. Thus, the preventive, preoperative application of immunoregulatory therapeutics may normalize this immune reactivity and decrease morbidity and mortality in these subjects. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory actions of recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) in mice, and to relate these effects to in vitro actions of rhLF on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated whole blood cell cultures (LPS-stimulated WBCC) from patients admitted to intensive care units. MATERIAL AND METHODS: BALB/c and CBA mice were used. rhLF was tested for allergic response to ovalbumin (OVA), delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to OVA, and carrageenan-induced inflammation in an air pouch. Blood samples from 30 patients diagnosed with severe sepsis/septic shock (Apache II 21 ±1, mortality rate 40%) were collected on days 1, 3 and 5 of observation. The effects of rhLF on LPS-induced TNF-α production were measured in WBCCs. RESULTS: Recombinant human lactoferrin reduced the parameters of OVA-induced inflammation and inhibited the elicitation phase of DTH and carrageenan-induced inflammation in mice. The majority of patients from whom whole blood cell cultures (WBCC) were established showed a strong hyporeactivity to LPS upon admission. rhLF exerted differential effects on the production of LPS-induced TNF-α in those cultures on days 1, 3 and 5 of observation. Cytokine production was upregulated only in patients with sustained anergy to LPS, and inhibited or unchanged in moderately reactive patients. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for the potential preventive or therapeutic utility of rhLF in patients with impaired immune reactivity has been demonstrated.

Beneficial effects of inhaled nitric oxide with intravenous steroid in an ischemia-reperfusion model involving aortic clamping.

This study evaluated the effects of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy combined with intravenous (IV) corticosteroids on hemodynamics, selected cytokines, and kidney messenger RNA toll-like receptor 4 (mRNA TLR4) expression in ischemia-reperfusion injury animal model. The primary endpoint was the evaluation of circulatory, respiratory, and renal function over time. We also investigated the profile of selected cytokines and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, as well as renal mRNA TLR4 activation determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Pigs (n = 19) under sevoflurane AnaConDa anesthesia/sedation were randomized and subjected to abdominal laparotomy and alternatively suprarenal aortic cross-clamping (SRACC) for 90 min or sham surgery: Group 1 (n = 8) iNO (80 ppm) + IV corticosteroids (25 mg ×3) started 30 min before SRACC and continued 2 h after SRACC release, followed with decreased iNO (30 ppm) until the end of observation, Group 2 (n = 8) 90 min SRACC, Group 3 (n = 3)-sham surgery. Renal biopsies were sampled 1 hr before SRACC and at 3 and 20 h after SRACC release. Aortic clamping increased TLR4 mRNA expression in ischemic kidneys, but significant changes were recorded only in the control group ( P = 0.016). Treatment with iNO and hydrocortisone reduced TLR4 mRNA expression to pre-ischemic conditions, and the difference observed in mRNA expression was significant between control and treatment group after 3 h ( P = 0.042). Moreover, animals subjected to treatment with iNO and hydrocortisone displayed an attenuated systemic inflammatory response and lowered pulmonary vascular resistance plus increased oxygen delivery. The results indicated that iNO therapy combined with IV corticosteroids improved central and systemic hemodynamics, oxygen delivery, and diminished the systemic inflammatory response and renal mRNA TLR4 expression.

Preoperative thromboelastometry for the prediction of increased chest tube output in cardiac surgery: A retrospective study.

Bleeding following cardiac surgery is a serious event with potentially life-threatening consequences. Preoperative recognition of coagulation abnormalities and detection of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) related coagulopathy could aid in the start of preventive treatment strategies that minimize perioperative blood loss. Most algorithms that analyze thromboelastometry coagulation tests in elective cardiac surgery do not include test results performed before surgery. We evaluated preoperative rotational thromboelastometry test results for their ability to predict blood loss during and after cardiac surgery.A total of 114 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were included in this retrospective analysis. Each patient had thromboelastometry tests done twice: preoperatively, before the induction of anesthesia and postoperatively, 10 minutes after heparin reversal with protamine after decannulation.Patients were placed into 1 of 2 groups depending on whether preoperative thromboelastometry parameters deviated from reference ranges: Group 1 [N = 29; extrinsically activated test (EXTEM) or INTEM results out of normal range] or Group 2 (N = 85; EXTEM and INTEM results within the normal range). We observed that the total amount of chest tube output was significantly greater in Group 1 than in Group 2 (700 mL vs 570 mL, P = .03). At the same time, the preoperative values of standard coagulation tests such as platelet count, aPTT, and INR did not indicate any abnormalities of coagulation.Preoperative coagulation abnormalities diagnosed with thromboelastometry can predict increased chest tube output in the early postoperative period in elective adult cardiac surgery. Monitoring of the coagulation system with thromboelastometry allows rapid diagnosis of coagulation abnormalities even before the start of the surgery. These abnormalities could not always be detected with routine coagulation tests.

Changes in the level of cardiac troponine and disorders in pulmonary gas exchange as predictors of short- and long-term outcomes of patients with aneurysm subarachnoid haemorrhage.

SUBJECT: Cardiopulmonary abnormalities are common after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). However, the relationship between short- and long-term outcome is poorly understood. In this paper, we present how cardiac troponine elevations (cTnI) and pulmonary disorders are associated with short- and long-term outcomes assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE). METHODS: A total of 104 patients diagnosed with aSAH were analysed in the study. The non-parametric U Mann-Whitney test was used to evaluate the difference between good (GOS IV-V, GOSE V-VIII) and poor (GOS I-III, GOSE I-IV) outcomes in relation to cTnI elevation and pulmonary disorders. Outcome was assessed at discharge from the hospital, and then followed up 6 and 12 months later. Pulmonary disorders were determined by the PaO2/FiO2 ratio and radiography. The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) were used to determine the predictive power of these factors. RESULTS: In the group with good short-term outcomes cTnI elevation on the second day after aSAH was significantly lower (p = .00007) than in patients with poor short-term outcomes. The same trend was observed after 6 months, although there were different results 12 months from the onset (p = .024 and n.s., respectively). A higher peak of cTnI was observed in the group with a pathological X-ray (p = .008) and pathological PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p ≪ .001). cTnI was an accurate predictor of short-term outcomes (AUC = 0.741, p ≪ .001) and the outcome after 6 months (AUC = 0.688, p = .015). CONCLUSION: The results showed that cardiopulmonary abnormalities perform well as predictive factors for short- and long-term outcomes after aSAH.

Effect of universal chlorhexidine decolonisation on the infection rate in intensive care patients.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), particularly intensive care unit-acquired infections (HAI-ICU), are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitals. Most of these infections are caused by multidrugresistant organisms. The results of recent studies have suggested that daily bathing with chlorhexidine (CHX)-universal decolonisation can prevent ICU infections. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of CHX bathing on the rate and type of HAI-ICU in critically ill patients. METHODS: This observational study, conducted in a mixed, 16-bed tertiary ICU, compared the following three 3-month periods: I) pre-intervention (traditional soap-water bathing), II) intervention (bathing with 2% CHX clothes), and III) post-intervention (soap-water bathing). The type and rate of HAI-ICU were registered according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 272 patients were included in the study. During the intervention period, the total infection rate was significantly lower than in the pre-intervention period (12.7% vs 22.2%, respectively). Significant decreases in the rate and density of catheter-related infections (CRI) were observed during the intervention period. A decrease in the isolation rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria was also observed during the intervention and post-intervention periods. CONCLUSIONS: Daily bathing of ICU patients with chlorhexidine-impregnated clothes significantly decreased the rate of HAI-ICU and the acquisition of CRI. This simple hygienic approach can be an important adjunctive intervention with the capability of reducing the burden of healthcare-associated infections in ICUs.

Comparison of anaesthetic gas consumption and stability of anaesthesia using automatic and manual control over the course of anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The automatic control module of end-tidal volatile agents (EtC) was designed to reduce the consumption of anaesthetic gases, increase the stability of general anaesthesia and reduce the need for adjustments in the settings of the anaesthesia machine. The aim of this study was to verify these hypotheses. METHODS: The course of general anaesthesia with the use of the EtC module was analysed for haemodynamic stability, depth of anaesthesia, end-expiratory concentration of anaesthetic, number of ventilator key presses, fentanyl supply, consumption of volatile agents and anaesthesia and operation times. These data were compared with the data obtained during general anaesthesia controlled manually and were processed with statistical tests. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients underwent general anaesthesia for scheduled operations. Group AUTO-ET (n = 35) was anaesthetized with EtC, and group MANUAL-ET (n = 39) was controlled manually. Both populations presented similar anaesthesia stability. No differences were noted in the time of anaesthesia, saturation up to MAC 1.0 or awakening. Data revealed no differences in mean EtAA or the fentanyl dose. The AUTO-ET group exhibited fewer key presses per minute, 0.0603 min⁻¹, whereas the MANUAL-ET exhibited a value of 0.0842 min⁻¹; P = 0.001. The automatic group consumed more anaesthetic and oxygen per minute (sevoflurane 0.1171 mL min⁻¹; IQR: 0.0503; oxygen 1.8286 mL min⁻¹, IQR: 1,3751) than MANUAL-ET (sevoflurane 0.0824 mL min⁻¹, IQR: 0.0305; oxygen 1,288 mL min⁻¹, IQR: 0,6517) (P = 0.0028 and P = 0.0171, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both methods are equally stable and safe for patients. The consumption of volatile agents was significantly increased in the AUTO-ET group. EtC considerably reduces the number of key presses.

Occupational mercury vapour poisoning with a respiratory failure, pneumomediastinum and severe quadriparesis.

OBJECTIVES: Despite restrictions, mercury continues to pose a health concern. Mercury has the ability to deposit in most parts of the body and can cause a wide range of unspecific symptoms leading to diagnostic mistakes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report the case of severe mercury vapour poisoning after occupational exposure in a chloralkali plant worker that resulted in life-threatening respiratory failure, pneumomediastinum and quadriparesis. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged mechanical ventilation and treatment with penicillamine and spironolactone was used with successful outcome.

Coagulation abnormalities identified by thromboelastometry in patients with severe sepsis: the relationship to endotoxemia and mortality.

The aim of this study was to monitor the development of coagulation abnormalities in patients with severe sepsis using thromboelastometry and to assess whether increased endotoxin activity was associated with a change in coagulation. Data collected on ICU admission, day 2, 3, and 4 were analysed in 61 patients. Thromboelastometry made it possible to identify patients with a normal (group 1), hypercoagulable (group 2), or hypocoagulable (group 3) pattern. The best accuracy of thromboelastometry parameters as potential indices of coagulation abnormalities was yielded by the clot formation time and maximum clot firmness. The mortality rate was low in group 1(16%) and the presence of abnormalities, indicating either a hyper or hypocoagulation pattern, was associated with significantly higher mortality (42 and 39% respectively; P = 0.05). In group 1, baseline endotoxin activity was low [0.22 endotoxin activity units (EAU), 0.15-0.43] and did not change significantly during the observation period. In group 2, baseline endotoxin activity was elevated (0.52 EAU (0.39-0.62)) and remained high on day 2, 3, and 4. In group 3, baseline endotoxin activity was elevated (0.56 EAU (0.28-0.80)) and similarly to group 2, remained high on day 2, 3, and 4. The presence of coagulation disorders indicates a high-risk subpopulation of critically ill patients as reflected in significantly higher mortality rates and increased endotoxin activity.