Thrombocytopenia and platelet transfusions in ICU patients: an international inception cohort study (PLOT-ICU).

PURPOSE: Thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150 × 109/L) is common in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and is likely associated with worse outcomes. In this study we present international contemporary data on thrombocytopenia in ICU patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in adult ICU patients in 52 ICUs across 10 countries. We assessed frequencies of thrombocytopenia, use of platelet transfusions and clinical outcomes including mortality. We evaluated pre-selected potential risk factors for the development of thrombocytopenia during ICU stay and associations between thrombocytopenia at ICU admission and 90-day mortality using pre-specified logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: We analysed 1166 ICU patients; the median age was 63 years and 39.5% were female. Overall, 43.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 40.4-46.1) had thrombocytopenia; 23.4% (20-26) had thrombocytopenia at ICU admission, and 19.8% (17.6-22.2) developed thrombocytopenia during their ICU stay. Absence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), non-cancer-related immune deficiency, liver failure, male sex, septic shock, and bleeding at ICU admission were associated with the development of thrombocytopenia during ICU stay. Among patients with thrombocytopenia, 22.6% received platelet transfusion(s), and 64.3% of in-ICU transfusions were prophylactic. Patients with thrombocytopenia had higher occurrences of bleeding and death, fewer days alive without the use of life-support, and fewer days alive and out of hospital. Thrombocytopenia at ICU admission was associated with 90-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio 1.7; 95% CI 1.19-2.42). CONCLUSION: Thrombocytopenia occurred in 43% of critically ill patients and was associated with worse outcomes including increased mortality. Platelet transfusions were given to 23% of patients with thrombocytopenia and most were prophylactic.

[Treatment of benzodiazepine-resistant alcohol withdrawal symptoms]. / Behandling af benzodiazepinresistente alkoholabstinenssymptomer.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can lead to severe morbidity and potentially be fatal if untreated. A subgroup of patients treated for alcohol withdrawal symptoms will exhibit symptoms resistant to first-line treatment with benzodiazepines. The understanding of benziodiazepine-resistant alcohol withdrawal symptoms has increased with new knowledge of implicated neuroreceptors and possible treatment methods. This article aims to elucidate the patient population and the existing methods of treatment.

[Cerebral aspergillosis in an immunocompromised patient with follicular lymphoma].

We present a case of central nervous system aspergillosis in an immunocompromised 69-year-old male with a history of chemotherapeutic treatment for follicular lymphoma. The patient presented with aphasia, apraxia and confusion. An MRI of the central nervous system and Aspergillus antigen in the spinal fluid was suggestive for this invasive fungal infection. Despite treatment with voriconazole the patient succumbed to the infection. A rise in rare, severe infectious complications as presented is expected due to increasing dose-intensity of chemotherapy.

[Treatment of severe anaemia in patients who refuse blood transfusion].

In situations involving serious bleeding and anaemia, a refusal of blood transfusion puts the clinician in an ethical and medical dilemma, as standard treatment is not an option, and the patient risks dying of a potentially reversible cause. This status article describes methods of treatment under the concept of "bloodless medicine", where surgical and supportive techniques are used to manage and treat severe anaemia.

Validation of the Fatigue Severity Scale in Danish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is a symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which has a substantial effect on the patients' quality of life and is a parameter that is difficult to quantify. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) is a validated and reliable tool for quantifying fatigue. However, no Danish translation has yet been developed or validated. The aim of this study was to translate the FSS from English into Danish and subsequently to test and describe its validity and reliability in Danish SLE patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The FSS was translated from English into Danish and then back-translated. The translation agreed upon by medical professionals was tested for construct validity in an unselected group of SLE patients. The final version was tested for content validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability in a second unselected group of SLE patients using the Danish version of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). All patients included were outpatients with SLE of low to moderate disease activity, and low to moderate organ damage. RESULTS: Correlations were found between the Danish FSS and the main component scores of the SF-36. We found a high Cronbach's alpha as well as acceptable results of the intraclass correlation coefficient and the Bland-Altman plot. CONCLUSION: The Danish FSS translation is a valid and reliable measure of fatigue in the Danish SLE patients included in this study. FUNDING: Anne Voss reported a grant from The Danish Rheumatism Association (R33-A1836) and grants from The A.P. Møller Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Science and finally grants from the Region of South Denmark during the conduct of the study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Use of propofol infusion in alcohol withdrawal-induced refractory delirium tremens.

INTRODUCTION: Delirium tremens is a potentially fatal complication of alcohol withdrawal. In severe delirium, very large dosages of benzodiazepines can be required and in refractory cases, sedation with propofol can be used. Treatment of refractory delirium tremens with propofol is mainly described in case reports. We aimed to evaluate the treatment of delirium tremens with propofol infusion for 48 h. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was a single-centre retrospective cohort analysis of 15 patient journals covering the period from May 2012 to September 2013. RESULTS: Five women and ten men were included. Their mean age was 50.9 years. Prior to propofol treatment, conventional treatment with up to 1,500 mg of benzodiazepines, 2,000 mg of chlordiazepoxide or 1,200 mg of phenobarbital was attempted in the medical or psychiatric ward, without effect (sleep). Patients were sedated, intubated and mechanically ventilated in the intensive care unit. The mean propofol infusion rate was 4.22 mg/kg/h. Thirteen patients received supplemental infusion of opioids, whereas seven required concomitant vasopressor infusion. Once propofol infusion was discontinued after 48 h, 12 patients had a long awakening, displaying symptoms of prolonged sedation. Twelve of the 15 patients treated for delirium tremens with propofol for 48 h were successfully treated. Three patients needed further treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that treatment with propofol is viable. Establishing indication, dose, duration, and long-term effects of propofol treatment of delirium tremens requires further investigation. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Guideline for stress ulcer prophylaxis in the intensive care unit.

Stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is commonly used in the intensive care unit (ICU), and is recommended in the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines 2012. The present guideline from the Danish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Danish Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine sums up current evidence and gives clinical recommendations for SUP in the ICU. The GRADE approach was used for grading the evidence (www.gradeworkinggroup.org). In conclusion, existing meta-analyses have been underpowered to reach firm conclusions. We recommend not using SUP routinely for adult critically ill patients in the ICU outside the context of randomized controlled trials (GRADE 1C). No robust evidence supports recommendations for subpopulations in the ICU such as septic, burn, trauma, cardiothoracic or enterally fed patients. However, if SUP is considered clinically indicated in individual patients, we suggest using proton pump inhibitors over histamine-2-receptor antagonists (GRADE 2C).