Influence of Deep Sedation in Intensive Care Medicine Memories of Critical COVID-19 Survivors.

Introduction: Critical care survivors sustain a variety of sequelae after intensive care medicine (ICM) admission, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has added further challenges. Specifically, ICM memories play a significant role, and delusional memories are associated with poor outcomes post-discharge including a delayed return to work and sleep problems. Deep sedation has been associated with a greater risk of perceiving delusional memories, bringing a move toward lighter sedation. However, there are limited reports on post-ICM memories in COVID-19, and influence of deep sedation has not been fully defined. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate ICM-memory recall in COVID-19 survivors and their relation with deep sedation. Materials/Methods: Adult COVID-19 ICM survivors admitted to a Portuguese University Hospital between October 2020 and April 2021 (second/third "waves") were evaluated 1 to 2 months post-discharge using "ICU Memory Tool," to assess real, emotional, and delusional memories. Results: The study included 132 patients (67% male; median age = 62 years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE]-II = 15, Simplified Acute Physiology Score [SAPS]-II = 35, ICM stay = 9 days). Approximately 42% received deep sedation (median duration = 19 days). Most participants reported real (87%) and emotional (77%) recalls, with lesser delusional memories (36.4%). Deeply sedated patients reported significantly fewer real memories (78.6% vs 93.4%, P = .012) and increased delusional memories (60.7% vs 18.4%, P < .001), with no difference in emotional memories (75% vs 80.4%, P = .468). In multivariate analysis, deep sedation had a significant, independent association with delusional memories, increasing their likelihood by a factor of approximately 6 (OR = 6.274; 95% confidence interval = 1.165-33.773, P = .032), without influencing real (P = .545) or emotional (P = .133) memories. Conclusions: This study contributes to a better understanding of the potential adverse effects of deep sedation on ICM memories in critical COVID-19 survivors, indicating a significant, independent association with the incidence of delusional recalls. Although further studies are needed to support these findings, they suggest that strategies targeted to minimize sedation should be favored, aiming to improve long-term recovery.

Hospital context in surgical site infection following colorectal surgery: a multi-level logistic regression analysis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are associated with poor health outcomes. Their incidence is highest after colorectal surgery, with little improvement in recent years. The role of hospital characteristics is undetermined. AIM: To investigate whether SSI incidence after colorectal surgery varies between hospitals, and whether such variance may be explained by hospital characteristics. METHODS: Data were retrieved from the electronic platform of the Directorate General of Health, from 2015 to 2019. Hospital characteristics were retrieved from publicly available data on the Portuguese public administration. Analysis considered a two-level hierarchical data structure, with individuals clustered in hospitals. To avoid overfitting, no models were built with more than one hospital characteristic. Cluster-level associations are presented through median odds ratio (MOR) and intraclass cluster coefficient (ICC). Beta coefficients were used to assess the contextual effects. FINDINGS: A total of 11,219 procedures from 18 hospitals were included. The incidence of SSI was 16.8%. The ICC for the null model was 0.09. Procedural variables explained 25% of the variance, and hospital dimension explained another 17%. More than 50% of SSI variance remains unaccounted for. After adjustment, heterogeneity between hospitals (MOR: 1.51; ICC: 0.05) was still found. No hospital characteristic was significantly associated with SSI. CONCLUSION: Procedural variables and hospital dimension explain almost half of SSI variance and should be taken into account when implementing prevention strategies. Future research should focus on compliance with preventive bundles and other process indicators in hospitals with significantly less SSI in colorectal surgery.

Approaching the airway in prehospital emergency is a common and potentially life-saving practice.

Management by the environment is complex, which means a much higher percentage of difficult airways than in a regulated environment such as the operating room. Failure or prolonged attempt to tracheal intubation is associated with unfavorable outcomes and serious complications. Acute epiglottitis is a life-threatening disorder, classified as a medical emergency within the diseases of the upper respiratory airway and characterized by its sudden and deadly evolution if rapid intubation is not achieved to allow oxygenation of the patient. We describe a 36-year-old male patient with stridor, dyspnea e hypoxemia due to total obstruction of airway, caused by an acute epiglottitis. We aim to highlight this unusual injury and its management from the prehospital until discharge illustrating the severity of the clinical presentation, current treatment and outcome.

Entorno prehospitalario y manejo en UCI de epiglotitis en un adulto / Approaching the airway in prehospital emergency is a common and potentially life-saving practice

El abordaje de la vía aérea en la unidad de urgencias prehospitalarias es una práctica común que potencialmente salva vidas. El manejo es complejo debido al entorno, lo cual significa un porcentaje mucho más elevado de vías aéreas difíciles que en un ambiente regulado, como en el caso del quirófano.El intento fallido o prolongado de intubación traqueal está asociado a resultados desfavorables y complicaciones graves.La epiglotitis aguda es un trastorno potencialmente letal, clasificado como urgencia médica dentro de las enfermedades de la vía aérea respiratoria superior, que se caracteriza por una evolución repentina y mortal si no se logra una intubación rápida que permita la oxigenación del paciente.Describimos el caso de un paciente de 36 años con estridor, disnea e hipoxemia debido a la obstrucción total de la vía aérea, causada por una epiglotitis aguda. Nuestro objetivo es subrayar esta lesión infrecuente y su manejo desde la unidad prehospitalaria hasta el alta, ilustrando la gravedad de la presentación clínica, el tratamiento actual y el resultado.(AU)

Management by the environment is complex, which means a much higher percentage of difficult airways than in a regulated environment such as the operating room. Failure or prolonged attempt to tracheal intubation is associated with unfavorable outcomes and serious complications. Acute epiglottitis is a life-threatening disorder, classified as a medical emergency within the diseases of the upper respiratory airway and characterized by its sudden and deadly evolution if rapid intubation is not achieved to allow oxygenation of the patient. We describe a 36-year-old male patient with stridor, dyspnea e hypoxemia due to total obstruction of airway, caused by an acute epiglottitis. We aim to highlight this unusual injury and its management from the prehospital until discharge illustrating the severity of the clinical presentation, current treatment and outcome.(AU)

Approaching the airway in prehospital emergency is a common and potentially life-saving practice. / Entorno prehospitalario y manejo en UCI de epiglotitis en un adulto.

Management by the environment is complex, which means a much higher percentage of difficult airways than in a regulated environment such as the operating room. Failure or prolonged attempt to tracheal intubation is associated with unfavorable outcomes and serious complications. Acute epiglottitis is a life-threatening disorder, classified as a medical emergency within the diseases of the upper respiratory airway and characterized by its sudden and deadly evolution if rapid intubation is not achieved to allow oxygenation of the patient. We describe a 36-year-old male patient with stridor, dyspnea e hypoxemia due to total obstruction of airway, caused by an acute epiglottitis. We aim to highlight this unusual injury and its management from the prehospital until discharge illustrating the severity of the clinical presentation, current treatment and outcome.

Impact of antibiotic therapy in severe community-acquired pneumonia: Data from the Infauci study.

Antibiotic therapy (AT) is the cornerstone of the management of severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, the best treatment strategy is far from being established. To evaluate the impact of different aspects of AT on the outcome of critically ill patients with CAP, we performed a post hoc analysis of all CAP patients enrolled in a prospective, observational, multicentre study. Of the 502 patients included, 76% received combination therapy, mainly a ß-lactam with a macrolide (80%). AT was inappropriate in 16% of all microbiologically documented CAP (n=177). Hospital and 6months mortality were 34% and 35%. In adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis, combination AT with a macrolide was independently associated with a reduction in hospital (OR 0.17, 95%CI 0.06-0.51) and 6months (OR 0.21, 95%CI 0.07-0.57) mortality. Prolonged AT (>7days) was associated with a longer ICU (14 vs. 7days; p<0.001) and hospital length of stay (LOS) (25 vs. 17days; p<0.001). Combination AT with a macrolide may be the most suitable AT strategy to improve both short and long term outcome of severe CAP patients. AT >7days had no survival benefit and was associated with a longer LOS.

International ERS/ESICM/ESCMID/ALAT guidelines for the management of hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia

The most recent European guidelines and task force reports on hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were published almost 10 years ago. Since then, further randomised clinical trials of HAP and VAP have been conducted and new information has become available. Studies of epidemiology, diagnosis, empiric treatment, response to treatment, new antibiotics or new forms of antibiotic administration and disease prevention have changed old paradigms. In addition, important differences between approaches in Europe and the USA have become apparent.The European Respiratory Society launched a project to develop new international guidelines for HAP and VAP. Other European societies, including the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, were invited to participate and appointed their representatives. The Latin American Thoracic Association was also invited.A total of 15 experts and two methodologists made up the panel. Three experts from the USA were also invited (Michael S. Niederman, Marin Kollef and Richard Wunderink).Applying the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology, the panel selected seven PICO (population-intervention-comparison-outcome) questions that generated a series of recommendations for HAP/VAP diagnosis, treatment and prevention.(AU)

Drivers and impact of antifungal therapy in critically ill patients with Aspergillus-positive respiratory tract cultures.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is an increasingly recognised problem in critically ill patients. Little is known about how intensivists react to an Aspergillus-positive respiratory sample or the efficacy of antifungal therapy (AFT). This study aimed to identify drivers of AFT prescription and diagnostic workup in patients with Aspergillus isolation in respiratory specimens as well as the impact of AFT in these patients. ICU patients with an Aspergillus-positive respiratory sample from the database of a previous observational, multicentre study were analysed. Cases were classified as proven/putative IPA or Aspergillus colonisation. Demographic, microbiological, diagnostic and therapeutic data were collected. Outcome was recorded 12 weeks after Aspergillus isolation. Patients with putative/proven IPA were more likely to receive AFT than colonised patients (78.7% vs. 25.5%; P <0.001). Patients with host factors for invasive fungal disease were more likely to receive AFT (72.5% vs. 37.4%) as were those with multiorgan failure (SOFA score >7) (68.4% vs. 36.9%) (both P <0.001). Once adjusted for disease severity, initiation of AFT did not alter the odds of survival (HR = 1.40, 95% CI 0.89-2.21). Likewise, treatment within 48 h following diagnosis did not change the clinical outcome (75.7% vs. 61.4%; P = 0.63). Treatment decisions appear to be based on diagnostic criteria and underlying disease severity at the time of Aspergillus isolation. IPA in this population has a dire prognosis and AFT is not associated with reduced mortality. This may be explained by delayed diagnosis and an often inevitable death due to advanced multiorgan failure.

Mid-regional proadrenomedullin: An early marker of response in critically ill patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia?

BACKGROUND: Mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) is a novel biomarker with potential prognostic utility in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). PURPOSE: To evaluate the value of MR-proADM levels at ICU admission for further severity stratification and outcome prediction, and its kinetics as an early predictor of response in severe CAP (SCAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, single-center, cohort study of 19 SCAP patients admitted to the ICU within 12h after the first antibiotic dose. RESULTS: At ICU admission median MR-proADM was 3.58nmol/l (IQR: 2.83-10.00). No significant association was found between its serum levels at admission and severity assessed by SAPS II (Spearman's correlation=0.24, p=0.31) or SOFA score (SOFA<10: <3.45nmol/l vs. SOFA≥10: 3.90nmol/l, p=0.74). Hospital and one-year mortality were 26% and 32%, respectively. No significant difference in median MR-proADM serum levels was found between survivors and non-survivors and its accuracy to predict hospital mortality was bad (aROC 0.53). After 48h of antibiotic therapy, MR-proADM decreased in all but 5 patients (median -20%; IQR -56% to +0.1%). Its kinetics measured by the percent change from baseline was a good predictor of clinical response (aROC 0.80). The best discrimination was achieved by classifying patients according to whether MR-proADM decreased or not within 48h. No decrease in MR-proADM serum levels significantly increased the chances of dying independently of general severity (SAPS II-adjusted OR 174; 95% CI 2-15,422; p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: In SCAP patients, a decrease in MR-proADM serum levels in the first 48h after ICU admission was a good predictor of clinical response and better outcome.

Therapeutic management of peritonitis: a comprehensive guide for intensivists.

PURPOSE: The management of peritonitis in critically ill patients is becoming increasingly complex due to their changing characteristics and the growing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel summarizes the latest advances in the therapeutic management of these critically ill patients. RESULTS: Appendicitis, cholecystitis and bowel perforation represent the majority of all community-acquired infections, while most cases of healthcare-associated infections occur following suture leaks and/or bowel perforation. The micro-organisms involved include a spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as anaerobes and fungi. Healthcare-associated infections are associated with an increased likelihood of MDR pathogens. The key elements for success are early and optimal source control and adequate surgery and appropriate antibiotic therapy. Drainage, debridement, abdominal cleansing, irrigation, and control of the source of contamination are the major steps to ensure source control. In life-threatening situations, a "damage control" approach is the safest way to gain time and achieve stability. The initial empirical antiinfective therapy should be prescribed rapidly and must target all of the micro-organisms likely to be involved, including MDR bacteria and fungi, on the basis of the suspected risk factors. Dosage adjustment needs to be based on pharmacokinetic parameters. Supportive care includes pain management, optimization of ventilation, haemodynamic and fluid monitoring, improvement of renal function, nutrition and anticoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with peritonitis develop complications, including worsening of pre-existing organ dysfunction, surgical complications and healthcare-associated infections. The probability of postoperative complications must be taken into account in the decision-making process prior to surgery.

Impact of infection on admission and of the process of care on mortality of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: the INFAUCI study.

A prospective, cohort, clinical, observational study was performed in 14 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) to evaluate the contemporary epidemiology, morbi-mortality and determinants of outcome of the population with an infection on admission. All 3766 patients admitted during a consecutive 12-month period were screened. Their median age was 63 [26-83], 61.1% were male and 69.8% had significant comorbidities. On admission to the ICU 1652 patients (43.9%) had an infection, which was community acquired in 68.2% (one-fifth with healthcare-associated criteria) and ward-acquired in the others. Roughly half presented to the ICU with septic shock. As much as 488 patients with community-acquired infections were deemed stable enough to be first admitted to the ward, but had similar mortality to unstable patients directly admitted to the ICU (35.9% vs. 35.1%, p 0.78). Only 48.3% of this infected population had microbiological documentation and almost one-quarter received inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy. This, along with comorbidities, was a main determinant of mortality. Overall, infected patients on admission had higher mortality both in the ICU (28.0% vs. 19.9%, p <0.001) and in the hospital (38.2% vs. 27.5%, p <0.001) and even after being discharged to the ward (14.2% vs. 9.6%, p <0.001). Also, patients not infected on admission who acquired an infection in the ICU, had an increased risk of dying in the hospital (odds ratio 1.41 [1.12-1.83]). Consequently, infection, regardless of its place of acquisition, was associated with increased mortality. Improving the process of care, especially first-line antibiotic appropriateness, and preventing ICU-acquired infections, may lead to better outcomes.

Rhabdomyolysis: risk factors and incidence in polytrauma patients in the absence of major disasters.

PURPOSE: Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome caused by musculoskeletal tissue damage that leads to the release of large amounts of intracellular elements, which particularly affect renal function. The most common causes are severe trauma, ischemia, surgical procedures, and drug abuse. We aimed to determine the incidence of rhabdomyolysis by measuring muscle injury markers (CK, myoglobin), to identify pre/post-admission as well as iatrogenic risk factors for rhabdomyolysis in severe polytrauma, to clarify the relevance of orthopedic injuries and surgical treatment in the onset/worsening of rhabdomyolysis, and to correlate risk factors with its main complication-acute renal failure (ARF). METHODS: Prospective study of severe polytrauma patients (Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15), with CK and myoglobin values measured at admission and after 24, 48, and 72 h. Peak values, variations between admission and peak, and variations between admission and day 3 were all determined. The correlations of those values with the onset of ARF and other negative outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 57 consecutive patients with a median ISS of 29 were included. ARF was present in 20 patients (38 %). CK-0 level was correlated with male gender (p < 0.027) and ISS (0.014); Mb-0 level was correlated with hypovolemic shock (0.003) and skeletal fracture (p < 0.043). CK-max was correlated with surgery (p < 0.038) and surgery duration (p < 0.014); Mb-max was correlated with surgery (p < 0.002) and anesthesia duration (p < 0.005). Δ-CK was correlated with surgery (p < 0.01) and surgery duration (p < 0.017), and Δ0-3-CK was correlated with surgery (p < 0.042). Logistic regression analysis found relationships between Δ0-3-CK and both ICU admission (p < 0.003) and MODS (p < 0.012), and between Mb-max and ARF (p < 0.034). CONCLUSION: We found that a large number of factors are implicated in CK and Mb variations. Rhabdomyolysis is a very frequent complication, but increase in CK marker alone does not seem to be correlated with the incidence of ARF. Therefore, Mb level should be considered in this group of patients.

Predictors of severity in deep neck infections admitted to the intensive care unit.

A retrospective study was performed on adult patients admitted for surgical drainage of deep neck infections and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) during a period of 52 months. Severe infection was defined as septic shock/severe sepsis, mediastinitis, empyema or necrotising fasciitis. Complicated course was defined as ICU stay >8 days, reintubation, tracheostomy, renal replacement therapy, critical illness, myopathy or mortality. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used to assess differences and the significance level was controlled for multiple comparisons applying Bonferroni's correction. Fifty-four patients were studied. Variables associated with severe infection (43%) were abscess location (retropharyngeal [52 vs 7%; P<0.001] or multiple [52 vs 13%; P=0.002]), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II>7 (78 vs 13%; P<0.001), Simplified Acute Physiology Score II>29 (73 vs 21%; P<0.001) and first ICU day Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score>2 (77 vs 21%; P<0.001). Variables associated with complicated course (56%) were: parapharyngeal location (60 vs 8%; P<0.001)], Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II>7 (67 vs 14%; P=0.001), Simplified Acute Physiology Score II>29 (62 vs 18%; P=0.002) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score>2 (68 vs 17%; P<0.001). Serious complications occur frequently in patients with deep neck infections surgically drained and admitted to the ICU. Higher severity scores are associated with both severe infection and a complicated course. Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal locations are associated with severe infection and a complicated course respectively.

Anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis in selected critically ill patients.

A prospective, multicentre, phase IIIb study with an exploratory, open-label design was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis (C/IC) in specific ICU patient populations. Adult ICU patients with confirmed C/IC meeting ≥ 1 of the following criteria were enrolled: post-abdominal surgery, solid tumour, renal/hepatic insufficiency, solid organ transplant, neutropaenia, and age ≥ 65 years. Patients received anidulafungin (200 mg on day 1, 100 mg/day thereafter) for 10-42 days, optionally followed by oral voriconazole/fluconazole. The primary efficacy endpoint was global (clinical and microbiological) response at the end of all therapy (EOT). Secondary endpoints included global response at the end of intravenous therapy (EOIVT) and at 2 and 6 weeks post-EOT, survival at day 90, and incidence of adverse events (AEs). The primary efficacy analysis was performed in the modified intent-to-treat (MITT) population, excluding unknown/missing responses. The safety and MITT populations consisted of 216 and 170 patients, respectively. The most common pathogens were Candida albicans (55.9%), C. glabrata (14.7%) and C. parapsilosis (10.0%). Global success was 69.5% (107/154; 95% CI, 61.6-76.6) at EOT, 70.7% (111/157) at EOIVT, 60.2% (77/128) at 2 weeks post-EOT, and 50.5% (55/109) at 6 weeks post-EOT. When unknown/missing responses were included as failures, the respective success rates were 62.9%, 65.3%, 45.3% and 32.4%. Survival at day 90 was 53.8%. Treatment-related AEs occurred in 33/216 (15.3%) patients, four (1.9%) of whom had serious AEs. Anidulafungin was effective, safe and well tolerated for the treatment of C/IC in selected groups of ICU patients.

[Positive bronchoalveolar lavage and quantitative cultures results in suspected late-onset ventilator associated penumonia evaluation--retrospective study]. / Resultados positivos do lavado broncoalveolar e das culturas quantitativas na suspeita da pneumonia tardia associada ao ventilador--estudo retrospectivo.

INTRODUCTION: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with quantitative cultures has been used in order to increase ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) diagnosis specificity, although the accurate technique for this entity diagnosis remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of using positive BAL and quantitative cultures results in microbiologic diagnosis and treatment of patients with suspected late VAP and prior antibiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of intensive care unit (UCI) patients, during a one year period, with clinical suspicion of late VAP and prior use of antibiotics that presented a growth in BAL cultures. RESULTS: Of 243 BAL performed, there were 71 (29.2%) positive cultures (60 patients, 76.7% male, 54 ± 19 years). BAL was done after 13 days (median) of invasive mechanical ventilation, 11 days of ICU antibiotherapy and in the day in which a new antibiotic for VAP suspicion was started. Colony forming units (CFU)/ml count was performed in 71.8% and endotracheal aspirate (ETA) simultaneously collected for qualitative analysis in 85.9%. Therapeutic approach was changed in 38.0%: correction (16.9%), de-escalation (12.7%) and directed antibiotherapy start (8.4%). Therapeutic changes were made in the presence of CFU > 10(4) in 84.2% and in agreement with ETA in 70.8%. In cases in which antibiotherapy was maintained (62.0%), quantitative cultures would have allowed de-escalation in 9.1%. Changes in prescription were more frequent when CFU was > 10(4) (48.5%), comparing with situations in which counts were lower and BAL analysis was qualitative (28.9%), p = 0.091. There were no significant differences between patients submitted to different therapeutic approaches concerning to ICU mortality or length of stay. CONCLUSION: In late onset VAP, positive BAL and quantitative cultures allowed therapeutic changes, leading to antibiotic adequacy and consumption reduction, which can however be maximised.

Plasticity of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) wood-forming tissues during a growing season.

The seasonal effect is the most significant external source of variation affecting vascular cambial activity and the development of newly divided cells, and hence wood properties. Here, the effect of edapho-climatic conditions on the phenotypic and molecular plasticity of differentiating secondary xylem during a growing season was investigated. Wood-forming tissues of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) were collected from the beginning to the end of the growing season in 2003. Data from examination of fibre morphology, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), analytical pyrolysis, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were combined to characterize the samples. Strong variation was observed in response to changes in edapho-climatic conditions. A genomic approach was used to identify genes differentially expressed during this growing season. Out of 3512 studied genes, 19% showed a significant seasonal effect. These genes were clustered into five distinct groups, the largest two representing genes over-expressed in the early- or late-wood-forming tissues, respectively. The other three clusters were characterized by responses to specific edapho-climatic conditions. This work provides new insights into the plasticity of the molecular machinery involved in wood formation, and reveals candidate genes potentially responsible for the phenotypic differences found between early- and late-wood.

Treatment of the afebrile patient after catheter withdrawal: drugs and duration.

Catheter-related infections constitute 10-15% of all nosocomial infections, and constitute a relevant and growing problem, with an impact that is far from irrelevant, especially in the intensive care unit. The most frequent pathogens implicated come from the skin flora; Gram-positive cocci are responsible for about two-thirds of the infections, and Candida has emerged as another important cause. Questions about drug, route of administration, dosage and duration of antibiotherapy for patients who have become apyretic and with no signs of sepsis after catheter removal are still under debate, and far from being definitively answered. Decisions regarding these questions are based on three main factors: namely, which is the microoorganism responsible for the infection, what was the time to response, and what kind of patient are we dealing with? However, the microorganism is clearly the main factor in making a decision. In summary, all catheter-related infections should be treated with appropriate antibiotics, regardless of the removal of the catheter, with parenteral drugs, using high doses and short courses, namely 1 week, and de-escalating to narrow-spectrum drugs on the basis of susceptibility tests as soon as possible. Staphylococcus aureus catheter-related infections constitute an exception, needing longer courses, as it is difficult to predict who will be high-risk patients.

Patients with severe acute pancreatitis should be more often treated in an Intensive Care Department.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a serious disease with a frustrating mortality rate, but with a very good quality of life reported among survivors, that justifies an optimised allocation of therapy intensity. PURPOSE: To audit monitoring and treatment of severe AP in our Intensive Care Department based upon Atlanta severity classification and following recommendations. METHODS: Retrospective study of all AP admitted to our ICU between 1st January, 1993 and 31st December, 1999 in a tertiary University Hospital in Northern Portugal. RESULTS: Our sample (n = 44) represents less than 1% of all patients observed in our ICU and approximately 3% of all patients with AP admitted to our Hospital between 1993 and 1999. All cases fulfilled at least one Atlanta criteria of severe AP. Mean length of stay was 11.6 days. Diagnosis of AP was established in less than 48 hours in 86% of cases: amylasemia and lypasemia were determined in 84 and 7%, respectively and 64% of cases were submitted to ultrasonography. The median time between diagnosis and ICU admission was 2 days. Biliary calculus was responsible for 38% of cases and ethanol for 14%: Thirty-six per cent were considered idiopathic (in none was ERCP performed). Concerning local complications, necrosis was diagnosed in 56% and pseudocysts or abscesses in 23%. Infection was diagnosed by US/CT guided punction or by the presence of gas in CT (performed in 83% during the first ten days of disease) in 18% of the cases. 68% were put on parenteral nutrition (beginning on the 2nd day after admission to ICU in 50% of patients); and 51% had enteric feeding (median day of start = 8.5 days). Antibiotics were prescribed in 91%. Forty-five per cent of patients were submitted to surgery (median day of surgery was 6 days). No statistically significant differences were found concerning local or systemic complications according to different therapies. Mortality rate in our ICU was 36%, mostly during first and second weeks. Patients admitted to ICU later than the second day after diagnosis seem to die earlier (P < 0.005). Outcome (death) was statistically related with organ dysfunction criteria, namely Atlanta criteria (renal failure), SOFA and proportion of days with organ dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: In our Institution (a tertiary hospital) AP diagnosis is quickly made, local and systemic complications are clearly diagnosed and monitored, but at least 50% of patient waited for 2 days until ICU admission, representing those who die earlier.

International Conference for the Development of Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an important health problem that still generates great controversy. A consensus conference attended by 12 researchers from Europe and Latin America was held to discuss strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of VAP. Commonly asked questions concerning VAP management were selected for discussion by the participating researchers. Possible answers to the questions were presented to the researchers, who then recorded their preferences anonymously. This was followed by open discussion when the results were known. In general, peers thought that early microbiological examinations are warranted and contribute to improving the use of antibiotherapy. Nevertheless, no consensus was reached regarding choices of antimicrobial agents or the optimal duration of therapy. Piperacillin/tazobactam was the preferred choice for empiric therapy, followed by a cephalosporin with antipseudomonal activity and a carbapenem. All the peers agreed that the pathogens causing VAP and multiresistance patterns in their ICUs were substantially different from those reported in studies in the United States. Pathogens and multiresistance patterns also varied from researcher to researcher inside the group. Consensus was reached on the importance of local epidemiology surveillance programs and on the need for customized empiric antimicrobial choices to respond to local patterns of pathogens and susceptibilities.