Does the age of packed red blood cells, donor sex or sex mismatch affect the sublingual microcirculation in critically ill intensive care unit patients? A secondary interpretation of a retrospective analysis.

In vitro studies have thoroughly documented age-dependent impact of storage lesions in packed red blood cells (pRBC) on erythrocyte oxygen carrying capacity. While studies have examined the effect of pRBC age on patient outcome only few data exist on the microcirculation as their primary site of action. In this secondary analysis we examined the relationship between age of pRBC and changes of microcirculatory flow (MCF) in 54 patients based on data from the Basel Bedside assessment Microcirculation Transfusion Limit study (Ba2MiTraL) on effects of pRBC on sublingual MCF. Mean change from pre- to post-transfusion proportion of perfused vessels (∆PPV) was + 8.8% (IQR - 0.5 to 22.5), 5.5% (IQR 0.1 to 10.1), and + 4.7% (IQR - 2.1 to 6.5) after transfusion of fresh (≤ 14 days old), medium (15 to 34 days old), and old (≥ 35 days old) pRBC, respectively. Values for the microcirculatory flow index (MFI) were + 0.22 (IQR - 0.1 to 0.6), + 0.22 (IQR 0.0 to 0.3), and + 0.06 (IQR - 0.1 to 0.3) for the fresh, medium, and old pRBC age groups, respectively. Lower ∆PPV and transfusion of older blood correlated with a higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of patients upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) (p = 0.01). However, regression models showed no overall significant correlation between pRBC age and ∆PPV (p = 0.2). Donor or recipient sex had no influence. We detected no significant effect of pRBC on microcirculation. Patients with a higher SOFA score upon ICU admission might experience a negative effect on the ∆PPV after transfusion of older blood.

A new high protein-to-energy enteral formula with a whey protein hydrolysate to achieve protein targets in critically ill patients: a prospective observational tolerability study.

OBJECTIVES: Current guidelines and expert recommendations stress the need to implement enteral feeds with a higher protein-to-energy ratio to meet protein requirements as recommended while avoiding gastrointestinal side effects and energy overfeeding in ICU patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective tolerability study in 18 critically ill patients with a high protein formula (high protein-to-energy (HP:E) formula = Fresubin® Intensive; HPG) compared to a contemporary matched conventional therapy group (CTG). The primary outcome was GI intolerance defined as ≥300 ml daily gastric residual volume (GRV), vomiting, or diarrhea on days 1 and 2. Secondary outcomes were the percentage of patients reaching their protein target on day 4 and overall protein intake. RESULTS: Groups were comparable regarding demographic characteristics, disease severity, organ failures, mechanical ventilation, and NUTRIC score at baseline. Eighteen patients completed the 4-day feeding period. The number of events of GRV of ≥300 ml/day was equal in both groups (33.3%). The incidence of diarrhea and vomiting was low in the HPG (two patients concerned). EN did not need to be discontinued due to intolerance in any group. Seventy-two percent of patients reached protein targets ≥1.3 g/kgBW/d within 4 days after initiation of enteral feeding, which was superior to the CTG (33%). Post-hoc testing showed group differences of protein intake between HPG and CTG were significant at t = 72 h and t = 96 h. Energy targets were met in both groups. CONCLUSION: The HP:E formula containing 33% whey protein hydrolysate is well tolerated in this tolerability study. Due to the HP:E ratio protein targets can be reached faster. Larger randomized trials are needed to confirm preliminary results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02678325. Registered 2 May 2016.

Sublingual microcirculation does not reflect red blood cell transfusion thresholds in the intensive care unit-a prospective observational study in the intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: Hemoglobin (Hb) transfusion thresholds are established in intensive care units. A restrictive transfusion threshold (Hb 70-75 g/l) is recommended in septic patients, and a liberal transfusion threshold (Hb 90 g/l) for cardiogenic shock. It is unclear whether these historically adopted transfusion thresholds meet the challenges of individual patients. METHODS: We evaluated microvascular flow index (MFI) and proportion of perfused vessels (PPV) in the sublingual microcirculation with CytoCam-IDF microscopy and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). A study team-independent, treating intensivist assigned a total of 64 patients to 1 of 2 two transfusion thresholds, 43 patients to the Hb 75 g/l threshold and 21 patients to the Hb 90 g/l threshold, at a surgical intensive care unit. We performed microcirculatory measurements 1 h before and 1 h after transfusion of 1 unit of red blood cells. RESULTS: Microcirculatory flow variables correlated negatively with pre-transfusion flow variables (ΔMFI: ρ = - 0.821, p <  0.001; ΔPPV: ρ = - 0.778, p <  0.001). Patients with good initial microcirculation (cutoffs: MFI > 2.84, PPV > 88%) showed a deteriorated microcirculation after red blood cell transfusion. An impaired microcirculation improved after transfusion. At both transfusion thresholds, approximately one third of the patients showed an initially impaired microcirculation. In contrast, one third in every group had good microcirculation above the cutoff variables and did not profit from the transfusion. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that the established transfusion thresholds and other hemodynamic variables do not reflect microcirculatory perfusion of patients. Blood transfusion at both thresholds 75 g/l and 90 g/l hemoglobin can either improve or harm the microcirculatory blood flow, questioning the concept of arbitrary transfusion thresholds.

Sublingual microcirculation: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Sublingual microcirculation monitoring is suitable for bedside use in critically ill patients. We present a case in which severely impaired sublingual microcirculation was the first alarming sign of an early deterioration of the patient's medical situation. CASE PRESENTATION: This is the case of a 58-year-old white woman admitted to our intensive care unit after the removal of parts of her small intestine due to a volvulus. Her microcirculation was checked the day after surgery in terms of an ongoing study and predicted a massive deterioration of her clinical situation. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the potential value of monitoring the microcirculation in critically ill patients. Two full hours could have been saved for diagnostic workup and earlier treatment had we considered the impaired microcirculation alone as a warning sign. Regardless of the supposed cause, impaired microcirculation should alert the responsible physician and should be followed by a diagnostic workup. Sublingual microcirculation monitoring can be useful in intensive care units to detect a deteriorated microcirculation earlier than with standard monitoring.

The value of volume substitution in patients with septic and haemorrhagic shock with respect to the microcirculation.

After decades of ordinary scientific interest, fluid resuscitation of patients with septic and haemorrhagic shock took centre stage in intensive care research at the turn of the millennium. By that time, resuscitation fluids were the mainstay of haemodynamic stabilisation, avoidance of vasopressors and treatment of hypovolaemia in patients in shock, but were accompanied by adverse events such as excessive tissue oedema. With the spread of early goal-directed therapy research intensified and it was realised that type, volume and timing of resuscitation fluids might affect the course and outcome of critically ill patients. At the same time, the importance of microvascular blood flow as target of resuscitation was accepted. Today, once-forbidden albumin is the recommended colloid in severe sepsis and septic shock, and the European Medical Agency is considering the removal of starch solutions from the European market because of an increased incidence of acute kidney injury and mortality. This is unprecedented, especially because the administration of low-molecular-weight starches seems to have advantages in indications other than sepsis, and because practices in fluid resuscitation have changed fundamentally since the negative starch studies. Crystalloids are still the mainstay of hypovolaemia treatment in critically ill patients, but awareness is increasing that electrolyte composition, strong ion gap, tonicity and the bicarbonate-substituting anion may have an effect on adverse effects and outcome. In haemorrhagic shock, the utilisation of crystalloids and colloids is retreating, and plasma and erythrocyte concentrates are gaining more importance in the resuscitation of the patient with acute bleeding. However, there are still influential voices warning against the liberal usage of plasma concentrates and erythrocytes in trauma and haemorrhagic shock. This review describes the evidence relating to fluid resuscitation in sepsis, septic shock and massive haemorrhage. Beside the scientific evidence based on clinical trials, possible effects on the microcirculation and, therefore, organ function will be illustrated and areas of future research highlighted. The critical appraisal of the existing evidence should enable the reader to choose the optimal volume substitution for an individual patient.

Pantoprazole in Patients at Risk for Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the ICU.

BACKGROUND: Prophylaxis for gastrointestinal stress ulceration is frequently given to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), but its risks and benefits are unclear. METHODS: In this European, multicenter, parallel-group, blinded trial, we randomly assigned adults who had been admitted to the ICU for an acute condition (i.e., an unplanned admission) and who were at risk for gastrointestinal bleeding to receive 40 mg of intravenous pantoprazole (a proton-pump inhibitor) or placebo daily during the ICU stay. The primary outcome was death by 90 days after randomization. RESULTS: A total of 3298 patients were enrolled; 1645 were randomly assigned to the pantoprazole group and 1653 to the placebo group. Data on the primary outcome were available for 3282 patients (99.5%). At 90 days, 510 patients (31.1%) in the pantoprazole group and 499 (30.4%) in the placebo group had died (relative risk, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91 to 1.13; P=0.76). During the ICU stay, at least one clinically important event (a composite of clinically important gastrointestinal bleeding, pneumonia, Clostridium difficile infection, or myocardial ischemia) had occurred in 21.9% of patients assigned to pantoprazole and 22.6% of those assigned to placebo (relative risk, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.11). In the pantoprazole group, 2.5% of patients had clinically important gastrointestinal bleeding, as compared with 4.2% in the placebo group. The number of patients with infections or serious adverse reactions and the percentage of days alive without life support within 90 days were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among adult patients in the ICU who were at risk for gastrointestinal bleeding, mortality at 90 days and the number of clinically important events were similar in those assigned to pantoprazole and those assigned to placebo. (Funded by Innovation Fund Denmark and others; SUP-ICU ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02467621 .).

The Integrated Care of Asthma in Switzerland (INCAS) Study: Changes in Asthma Control and Perception of Health Care through Asthma Education.

BACKGROUND: Despite great efforts in establishing optimal asthma management, asthma may remain uncontrolled. To effectively manage chronic diseases, such as asthma, it is important to train patients in self-management skills. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the potential benefit of standardised asthma education in Switzerland for asthma control and patients' perception of received asthma care and of self-management support. METHODS: For this multicentre longitudinal controlled study, asthma patients were recruited in Switzerland. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) was used to assess asthma control. The Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care questionnaire (PACIC 5A) was applied to evaluate received health-care services and self-management support. Patients were offered the possibility to attend asthma education sessions conducted by the Swiss Lung League and Swiss Allergy Centre. After 1 year, attenders and non-attenders completed the questionnaires again. Changes in ACT and PACIC 5A scores were analysed using dependent t tests. RESULTS: Overall, 223 patients with asthma were investigated (mean age 43 ± 12 years, 38% male, 13% current smokers, 29% ex-smokers). Sixty-one (27%) patients attended education sessions. Both groups had improved asthma control at follow-up (attenders: t(56) = -3.2, r = 0.4 [medium effect size], p = 0.002; non-attenders: t(141) = -2.6, r = 0.2 [small effect size], p = 0.010). Attenders improved in PACIC and 5A sum scores (t(50) = -3.6, r = 0.5 [medium effect size], p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive self-management asthma education programme in Switzerland improved asthma control and patients' perception of received asthma care and of self-management support. Professionals should motivate patients to attend asthma education in order to become active partners in managing their disease.

The integrated care of asthma in Switzerland (INCAS)-study: Patients' perspective of received asthma care and their interest in asthma education.

OBJECTIVE: For successful long-term asthma care, self-management education is a cornerstone. Little is known about associations between patients' interest in education, asthma control and care delivery. We compared patients' characteristics, asthma control and patients' perspective about asthma care in subjects with and without interest in asthma education. Moreover, we assessed reasons, why patients denied participating in asthma education. METHODS: Baseline data of 223 patients with asthma (age 43 ± 12 years, 38% male, 58% non-smokers, 13% current smokers), who participated in a multicentre longitudinal controlled study, are reported. At baseline, patients completed the Asthma Control Test (ACT), the Patient Assessment Chronic Illness Care questionnaire (PACIC 5A) and stated their interest in an asthma education programme. RESULTS: Overall, 34% of all participants showed uncontrolled asthma. One hundred and twenty-five (56%) patients were interested in education. Compared to patients without interest, they were characterised by male gender (p = 0.013), worse asthma control (p < 0.001), and perception of lower quality of chronic asthma care delivery, in particular lower self-management support (p < 0.001). Main reasons for rejecting asthma education were having sufficient asthma knowledge, having only mild asthma, receiving adequate medical support and lack of time. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the patients were interested in asthma education. Interest was associated with worse asthma control and lower receipt of care according to the Chronic Care Model. Considering these aspects, this approach may help to improve care quality and allow targeting interventions to those patients who are interested in becoming active participants in their care and who might benefit most.