Effect of early hyperoxemia on the outcome in servere blunt chest trauma: A propensity score-based analysis of a single-center retrospective cohort.

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to explore the association between early hyperoxemia of the first 24 h on outcomes in patients with severe blunt chest trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a level I trauma center, we conducted a retrospective study of 426 consecutive patients. Hyperoxemic groups were classified in severe (average PaO2 ≥ 200 mmHg), moderate (≥150 and < 200 mmHg) or mild (≥ 100 and < 200 mmHg) and compared to control group (≥60 and < 100 mmHg) using a propensity score based analysis. The first endpoint was the incidence of a composite outcome including death and hospital-acquired pneumonia occurring from admission to day 28. The secondary endpoints were the incidence of death, the number of hospital-acquired pneumonia, mechanical ventilation-free days and intensive care unit-free day at day 28. RESULTS: The incidence of the composite endpoint was lower in the severe hyperoxemia group(OR, 0.25; 95%CI, 0.09-0.73; P < 0.001) compared with control. The 28-day mortality incidence was lower in severe (OR, 0.23; 95%CI, 0.08-0.68; P < 0.001) hyperoxemia group (OR, 0.41; 95%CI, 0.17-0.97; P = 0.04). Significant association was found between hyperoxemia and secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: In our cohort early hyperoxemia during the first 24 h of admission after severe blunt chest trauma was not associated with worse outcome.

Lung Ultrasound Findings in the Postanesthesia Care Unit Are Associated With Outcome After Major Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study in a High-Risk Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pulmonary complications are associated with increased morbidity. Identifying patients at higher risk for such complications may allow preemptive treatment. METHODS: Patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score >1 and who were scheduled for major surgery of >2 hours were enrolled in a single-center prospective study. After extubation, lung ultrasound was performed after a median time of 60 minutes by 2 certified anesthesiologists in the postanesthesia care unit after a standardized tracheal extubation. Postoperative pulmonary complications occurring within 8 postoperative days were recorded. The association between lung ultrasound findings and postoperative pulmonary complications was analyzed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among the 327 patients included, 69 (19%) developed postoperative pulmonary complications. The lung ultrasound score was higher in the patients who developed postoperative pulmonary complications (12 [7-18] vs 8 [4-12]; P < .001). The odds ratio for pulmonary complications in patients who had a pleural effusion detected by lung ultrasound was 3.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.2-11.7). The hospital death rate was also higher in patients with pleural effusions (22% vs 1.3%; P < .001). Patients with pulmonary consolidations on lung ultrasound had a higher risk of postoperative mechanical ventilation (17% vs 5.1%; P = .001). In all patients, the area under the curve for predicting postoperative pulmonary complications was 0.64 (95% confidence interval, 0.57-0.71). CONCLUSIONS: When lung ultrasound is performed precociously <2 hours after extubation, detection of immediate postoperative alveolar consolidation and pleural effusion by lung ultrasound is associated with postoperative pulmonary complications and morbi-mortality. Further study is needed to determine the effect of ultrasound-guided intervention for patients at high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Decreased duration of intravenous cephalosporins in intensive care unit patients with selective digestive decontamination: a retrospective before-and-after study.

Selective digestive decontamination (SDD) reduces the rate of infection and improves the outcomes of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). A risk associated with its use is the development of multi-drug-resistant organisms. We hypothesized that a 1-day reduction in systemic antimicrobial exposure in the SDD regimen would not affect the outcomes of our patients. In this before-and-after study design, 199 patients and 248 patients were included in a 3-day SDD group and a 2-day SDD group, respectively. The rates of hospital-acquired pneumonia and ICU infections were similar in both groups. The rates of bloodstream infection and bacteriuria were significantly lower in the 2-day SDD group than in the 3-day SDD group. Compared with the patients in the 3-day group, the patients in the 2-day SDD group received fewer antibiotics and less exposure to mechanical ventilation, and they used fewer ICU resources. The rates of ICU mortality and 28-day mortality were similar in both groups. The incidence of multi-drug-resistant organisms was similar in both groups. Within the limitations inherent to our study design, reducing the exposure of prophylactic systemic antibiotics in the SDD setting from 3 days to 2 days was not associated with impaired outcomes. Future randomized controlled trials should be conducted to test this hypothesis and investigate the effects on the development of multi-drug resistant organisms.

Vasopressors to treat refractory septic shock.

Norepinephrine is the first line vasopressor used in patients with septic shock. However, norepinephrine doses above 1 µg/kg/min are associated with mortality rates of over 80%, suggesting a need to implement adjunctive strategies prior to reaching this dosage. The present study therefore sought to review the existing and emergent vasopressor agents for patients with refractory septic shock. This paper summarizes the use of vasoactive drugs that may be considered in the context of refractory shock. The clinical application of present and future therapies and the related outcome are discussed. A review of the available literature indicated that vasopressin may be a good first option in patients with refractory septic shock, but evidence remains somewhat sparse. Although the use of vasopressin in these circumstances is likely preferable to the use of terlipressin, a pro-drug with an extended half-life, the use of selepressin, a pure V1 agonist, should be further assessed in future studies. Angiotensin II is another emerging option that uses a different signaling pathway. However, nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and methylene blue do not appear to be appropriate in the management of patients with refractory septic shock. In conclusion, the use of different adjunctive agents in combination with the use of norepinephrine may be useful in patients with refractory septic shock, but care must be taken to avoid excessive vasoconstriction.

Incidental Finding of Thrombus by Ultrasonography in a Trauma Patient with an Intravascular Cooling Device.

In patients with traumatic brain injury, coagulation disorders may both cause bleeding and thrombosis. The addition of risk factors, including invasive devices, probably increases the risk of complications. The benefit of using intravascular cooling device should be balanced by the risk to generate thrombosis. The use of routine ultrasound was associated with an incidental diagnosis of thrombus, accelerating the onset of curative anticoagulation.

Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in intensive care unit (ICU) patients: a preliminary, observational, retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) is supported by evidence-based guidelines. Nevertheless, SAP guidelines do not cover all clinical scenarios. To our knowledge, no information is available regarding SAP in the critically ill patients. We designed a retrospective, observational and preliminary study which the objective was to describe our professional practices in intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring SAP. METHODS: All patients admitted for more than 48 h in the ICU and requiring surgery were retrospectively included from January 1st to December 31, 2016. We collected data related to infection, colonization and antimicrobial treatments pre- and post-operatively. We assessed the compliance of SAP to guidelines. RESULTS: Among 41 included patients, 13 (32%) were treated for an ongoing infection and 21 (51%) received at least one antibiotic during the ICU stay. Seven (17%) were colonized. Twenty-one (51%) patients received SAP according to guidelines. Thirteen postoperative infections including 1 surgical site infection were reported. For 10 (24%) patients, the ongoing antimicrobial treatment was continued in the operating room. No surgical site infection and 1 lung infection was reported. In 3 (7%) patients, no SAP was administered and 1 episode of bacteremia was noted. Three (7%) patients had their ongoing treatment changed in the operating room. Two of them developed a lung infection. The other patients were assessed individually due to complex conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data showed a large heterogeneity in the management of SAP in the ICU, suggesting the need for specific guidelines based on clinical trials.

Point-of-care ultrasound in intensive care units: assessment of 1073 procedures in a multicentric, prospective, observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe current use and diagnostic and therapeutic impacts of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the intensive care unit (ICU). BACKGROUND: POCUS is of growing importance in the ICU. Several guidelines recommend its use for procedural guidance and diagnostic assessment. Nevertheless, its current use and clinical impact remain unknown. METHODS: Prospective multicentric study in 142 ICUs in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. All the POCUS procedures performed during a 24-h period were prospectively analyzed. Data regarding patient condition and the POCUS procedures were collected. Factors associated with diagnostic and therapeutic impacts were identified. RESULTS: Among 1954 patients hospitalized during the study period, 1073 (55%) POCUS/day were performed in 709 (36%) patients. POCUS served for diagnostic assessment in 932 (87%) cases and procedural guidance in 141 (13%) cases. Transthoracic echocardiography, lung ultrasound, and transcranial Doppler accounted for 51, 17, and 16% of procedures, respectively. Diagnostic and therapeutic impacts of diagnostic POCUS examinations were 84 and 69%, respectively. Ultrasound guidance was used in 54 and 15% of cases for central venous line and arterial catheter placement, respectively. Hemodynamic instability, emergency conditions, transthoracic echocardiography, and ultrasounds performed by certified intensivists themselves were independent factors affecting diagnostic or therapeutic impacts. CONCLUSIONS: With regard to guidelines, POCUS utilization for procedural guidance remains insufficient. In contrast, POCUS for diagnostic assessment is of extensive use. Its impact on both diagnosis and treatment of ICU patients seems critical. This study identified factors associated with an improved clinical value of POCUS.