RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The initial phase of sepsis is characterized by hyperinflammation. Levels of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) rise rapidly during acute inflammation. The purpose of this clinical study was to study the association between plasma TSP-1 levels and mortality in patients with sepsis on the intensive care unit. METHODS: Critically ill adult patients with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock were included. They were further divided into tertiles based on their baseline plasma TSP-1 concentrations. Primary outcome measure was 28-day mortality. Furthermore, associations with severity of sepsis and platelet counts were studied. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-five patients were included. Median plasma TSP-1 concentrations of the tertiles were 194, 463 and 874 ng/mL, respectively. There were no baseline differences. Mortality rates (26.6, 16.7, and 16.7%, p = 0.20) and cumulative survival curves (p = 0.22) were not statistically different between the tertiles. There was no association of baseline TSP-1 with severity of sepsis (p = 0.08). TSP-1 and platelet counts were positively correlated (159, 198, and 295 × 109/L, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline plasma levels of TSP-1 were not associated with mortality and severity of sepsis in mixed population of septic ICU patients. Further research is needed to clarify the expression of TSP-1 and to unravel the potential prognostic value of this biomarker in human sepsis.
RESUMEN
Recognition of delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is poor, despite the use of screening tools. Electroencephalography (EEG) with a limited number of electrodes and automatic processing may be a more sensitive approach for delirium monitoring. The authors conducted a systematic literature search on EEG characteristics that define delirium, finding 14 studies, which were predominantly conducted in elderly patients. The relative power of the theta and alpha frequency band most often (7/14 studies) distinguished delirium from non-delirium subjects. Given the feasibility for continuous EEG monitoring in ICU, EEG delirium monitoring in ICU patients is promising.