Transthyretin and Nutritional Status in Critically Ill Adults on Parenteral Nutrition: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Correctly characterizing malnutrition is a challenge. Transthyretin (TTR) rapidly responds to adequate protein intake/infusion, which could be used as a marker to identify malnutrition. Nutritional therapy is used to prevent malnutrition. Parenteral nutrition (PN) requires daily monitoring to determine whether what is being offered is adequate. This article aims to investigate whether the practice of measuring TTR is justified. METHODS: Data from patients admitted to the ward or intensive care unit (ICU) were collected at three different times: within the first 72 h (T1) of PN use, on the 7th day (T2), and the 14th day (T3) after the initial assessment. RESULTS: 302 patients were included; the average age was 48.3 years old; the prevalence of death was 22.2%, and 61.6% of the sample were male. TTR values and the effectiveness of nutritional support in these patients were not associated with the outcome; however, meeting caloric needs was related to the outcome (p = 0.047). No association was found when TTR values were compared to the nutritional status. Thus, TTR was not a good indicator of nutritional risk or nutritional status in hospitalized patients. CONCLUSIONS: Undoubtedly, the TTR measurement was inversely proportional to CRP measurements. It was possible to conclude in this follow-up cohort of hospitalized patients that TTR values were not useful for determining whether the patient was malnourished, predicting death or effectiveness of nutritional support, yet based upon our analyses, a decrease in TTR greater than 0.024 units for every 1 unit increase in CRP might be due to ineffective nutritional supply.

A new classification for emergency critically ill patients and analysis of their adverse events during intrahospital transport: A cluster analysis.

BACKGROUND: Critical patients may experience various adverse events during transportation within hospitals. Therefore, quickly evaluating and classifying patients before transporting them from the emergency department and focusing on managing high-risk patients are critical. At present, no unified classification method exists; all the current approaches are subjective. AIMS: To ensure transportation safety, we conducted a cluster analysis of critically ill patients transferred from the emergency department to the intensive care unit. STUDY DESIGN: Single-centre cohort study. This study was conducted at a comprehensive first-class teaching hospital in Beijing. Convenience sampling and continuous enrolment were employed. We collected data from 1 January 2019, to 31 December 2021. All patients were transferred from the emergency department to the intensive care unit, and cluster analysis was conducted using five variables. RESULTS: A total of 584 patients were grouped into three clusters. Cluster 1 (high systolic blood pressure group) included 208 (35.6%) patients. Cluster 2 (high heart rate and low blood oxygen group) included 55 (9.4%) patients. Cluster 3 (normal group) included the remaining 321 (55%) patients. The oxygen saturation levels of all the patients were lower after transport, and the proportion of adverse events (61.8%) was the highest in Cluster 2 (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study utilized data on five important vital signs from a cluster analysis to explore possible patient classifications and provide a reference for ensuring transportation safety. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Before transferring patients, we should classify them and implement targeted care. Changes in blood oxygen levels in all patients should be considered, with a focus on the occurrence of adverse events during transportation among patients with high heart rates and low blood oxygen levels.

Factors Associated with Nutritional Risk Assessment in Critically Ill Patients Using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST).

Background: Malnutrition is an underdiagnosed condition that negatively affects the clinical outcomes of patients, being associated with an increased risk of adverse events, increased hospital stay, and higher mortality. Therefore, nutritional assessment is a required and necessary process in patient care. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with nutritional risk by applying the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) scale in a population of critically ill patients. Methods: This was an observational, analytical, and retrospective study. Sociodemographic, clinical, hematological, and biochemical variables and their relationship with nutritional risk and mortality were analyzed. Results: Of 630 patients, the leading cause of admission was pathologies of the circulatory and respiratory system (50%); 28.4% were at high nutritional risk; and mortality was 11.6% and associated with nutritional risk, hemoglobin, and plasma urea nitrogen. Conclusions: The presence of gastrointestinal symptoms and the type of nutritional support received during hospitalization could increase the likelihood of presenting a medium/high nutritional risk, while polycythemia reduced this probability. An associative model was found to determine nutritional risk with an adequate specificity and diagnostic validity index.

The safety and efficacy of clevidipine for blood pressure management in neurocritical patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We aim to determine the safety and efficacy of clevidipine for neurocritical patients. To comprehensively identify relevant studies, a systematic search strategy was employed using the following keywords: "clevidipine", "high blood pressure", "hypertension", "Neuroscience Intensive Care", "neuro critical", and "neurosurgical patients". Searches were conducted in the Clinicaltrials.gov, PubMed, and EuroPMC databases, with the search extending until September 1, 2023. The primary outcomes of interest were the time needed to achieve the target systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the percentage of time a patient remained within the targeted SBP range. Secondary outcomes included SBP values, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay in days, rates of hypotension, and rates of tachycardia. We included five retrospective cohort studies (n = 443), utilizing nicardipine as the primary comparator. Comparison of the time to reach target systolic blood pressure (SBP) revealed no significant difference between medications (SMD = - 1.09, p = 0.33). Likewise, the achieved SBP target showed no notable distinction (RR = 1.15, p = 0.81). However, clevidipine exhibited a slightly higher percentage of time within the target SBP range (SMD = 0.33, p = 0.04), albeit with moderate heterogeneity. Importantly, all included studies were retrospective cohort studies, underscoring the methodological context of the investigation. Clevidipine and the control group were found to be comparable in terms of achieving target SBP. Clevidipine may have a slight advantage in maintaining blood pressure within the desired range, but further research is needed to confirm this finding.

Assessing the impact of real-time random safety audits through full propensity score matching on reliable data from the clinical information system.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based care processes are not always applied at the bedside in critically ill patients. Numerous studies have assessed the impact of checklists and related strategies on the process of care and patient outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the effects of real-time random safety audits on process-of-care and outcome variables in critical care patients. METHODS: This prospective study used data from the clinical information system to evaluate the impact of real-time random safety audits targeting 32 safety measures in two intensive care units during a 9-month period. We compared endpoints between patients attended with safety audits and those not attended with safety audits. The primary endpoint was mortality, measured by Cox hazard regression after full propensity-score matching. Secondary endpoints were the impact on adherence to process-of-care measures and on quality indicators. RESULTS: We included 871 patients; 228 of these were attended in ≥ 1 real-time random safety audits. Safety audits were carried out on 390 patient-days; most improvements in the process of care were observed in safety measures related to mechanical ventilation, renal function and therapies, nutrition, and clinical information system. Although the group of patients attended in safety audits had more severe disease at ICU admission [APACHE II score 21 (16-27) vs. 20 (15-25), p = 0.023]; included a higher proportion of surgical patients [37.3 % vs. 26.4 %, p = 0.003] and a higher proportion of mechanically ventilated patients [72.8 % vs. 40.3 %, p < 0.001]; averaged more days on mechanical ventilation, central venous catheter, and urinary catheter; and had a longer ICU stay [12.5 (5.5-23.3) vs. 2.9 (1.7-5.9), p < 0.001], ICU mortality did not differ significantly between groups (19.3 % vs. 18.8 % in the group without safety rounds). After full propensity-score matching, Cox hazard regression analysis showed real-time random safety audits were associated with a lower risk of mortality throughout the ICU stay (HR 0.31; 95 %CI 0.20-0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Real-time random safety audits are associated with a reduction in the risk of ICU mortality. Exploiting data from the clinical information system is useful in assessing the impact of them on the care process, quality indicators, and mortality.

End-stage renal disease in a critical patient with superior vena cava syndrome with central vein catheters inserted via the superficial femoral vein: A case study.

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is caused by obstruction to the blood flow through this vein. Indwelling central venous devices, such as cardiac pacemakers and haemodialysis catheters have emerged as the most common benign aetiology of SVCS. SVCS is particularly severe in patients with end-stage renal disease who require continuous renal replacement therapy plus infusion therapy. The presence of SVCS results in a reduction of available venous access for affected patients. Therefore, venous access plays a crucial role in the management of these patients. The importance of dealing with vascular access (VA) in critical patients with these conditions cannot be overstated. This case describes an 81-year-old man with respiratory failure who had end-stage renal disease complicated with SVCS. Using ultrasound-guided puncture, we inserted a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) into the superficial femoral vein to meet his infusion requirements in intensive care. After successful placement, the catheter tip position was adjusted using imaging to position the tip relative to the haemodialysis catheter. Whenever patients with severe renal dysfunction are treated, central veins should be preserved. Safe PICC access is possible via the superficial femoral vein to protect the last central VA for rational use. This meets urgent needs for infusion and deserves promotion.

Estrategias de analgesia, sedación, delirium y confort individualizado en el enfermo crítico: Una revisión narrativa / Individualised analgesia, sedation, delirium and comfort management strategies in the ICU: a narrative review

Este grupo es producto del acuerdo de colaboración firmado por la Sociedad de Medicina Intensiva de Madrid (SOMIAMA) y la Sociedad de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor de Madrid (SAR MADRID), por el que las organizaciones acordaron crear grupos de trabajo conjuntos para mejorar la atención al paciente crítico.El dolor, el malestar, la agitación y el delirio causan sufrimiento, retrasan el alta y pueden provocar complicaciones graves en los pacientes ingresados en las unidades de cuidados críticos médicos y quirúrgicos y en las unidades de cuidados postanestésicos. Los principales objetivos en este tipo de unidades incluyen: asegurar el confort de los pacientes que sufren o se recuperan de una enfermedad crítica. Evitar las complicaciones asociadas a las medidas, sobre todo farmacológicas, adoptadas para asegurar ese confort. (AU)

This group is a product of the collaboration agreement signed by Sociedad de Medicina Intensiva de Madrid (SOMIAMA) and Sociedad de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor de Madrid (SAR MADRID), under which the organisations agreed to create joint working groups to improve critical patient care.Pain, discomfort, agitation, and delirium cause suffering, delay discharge, and can lead to serious complications in patients admitted to medical and surgical critical care units and post-anaesthesia care units. The main objectives in this type of unit include: Ensuring the comfort of patients suffering or recovering from a critical illness. Avoiding complications associated with the measures, particularly pharmacological, taken to ensure that comfort. (AU)

Calidad del sueño y factores que lo alteran en los pacientes críticos en la uti en una institución privada de córdoba 2022 / Sleep quality and factors that alter it in critical patients in the icu in a private institution in Córdoba 2022

Los pacientes que están hospitalizados tienen un desequilibrio en de sus necesidades, más si hablamos de los pacientes que se encuentran en una unidad de terapia intensiva donde el movimiento es dinámico segundo a segundo debido a la inestabilidad hemodinámica de cada paciente. Una vez que se haya estabilizado la salud del paciente orientado, aparece la dificultad de poder dormir, por diversos factores que rodean al paciente ya sea intrínsecos, lo que siente la misma persona o ambientales propiamente de la terapia. Objetivo: determinar la calidad del sueño y los factores que lo alteran los pacientes orientados críticos en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva. Metodología: estudio descriptivo y transversal, como instrumento se utilizó el cuestionario de Richard Campbell que correspondía 5 preguntas sobre la calidad del sueño y la 6ta pregunta que corresponde al Cuestionario de Freedman sobre los factores que impide obtener un sueño óptimo. Resultado: Se realizó 40 entrevistas a los pacientes orientados de la unidad intensiva de diferentes edades, sexo y patología. Conclusión: El sueño en los pacientes orientados en la unidad de terapia intensiva dio una mala calidad de sueño, es decir un sueño superficial con despertares intermitentes. Los pacientes que tuvieron más dificultad para conciliar el sueño son lo que sufrieron enfermedades respiratorias y oncológicas en los cuales influyo los factores intrínsecos la ansiedad y el extrínseco la postura corporal y el ruido[AU]

The patients who are hospitalized have an imbalance in all their needs, more so if we talk about patients who are in an intensive care unit where movement is dynamic second by second due to the hemodynamic instability of each patient. Once the health of the oriented patient has stabilized, the deficit of being able to sleep appears, due to various factors that surround the patient, whether intrinsic, what the person feels, or the environment of the therapy itself. Objective: to determine the quality of sleep and the factors that alter it in critically oriented patients in the Intensive Care Unit.Methodology: descriptive and cross-sectional study, the Richard Campbell questionnaire was used as an instrument, corresponding to 5 questions on sleep quality and the 6th question corresponding to the Freedman Question-naire on the factors that prevent optimal sleep. Result: 40 interviews were con-ducted with oriented patients from the intensive unit of different ages, sex and pathology. Conclusion: The sleep in the patients oriented in the intensive care unit gave a poor quality of sleep, that is, a superficial sleep with intermittent awakenings. The patients who had more difficulty falling asleep are those who suffered respiratory and oncological diseases in which the intrinsic factors influ-ence anxiety and the extrinsic body posture and noise[AU]

Factores asociados a mortalidad en pacientes críticos con COVID-19 en un centro universitario de Paraguay / Factors associated with mortality in critical patients with COVID-19 in an university center in Paraguay

INTRODUCCIÓN: La pandemia por COVID-19 es un problema de salud mundial. Habitualmente cursa con sintomatología leve y 5% de los afectados evoluciona a cuadros graves que requieren de cuidados intensivos. OBJETIVO: Determinar el perfil clínico, la mortalidad y factores asociados a la misma en pacientes con COVID-19 ingresados al Departamento de Cuidados Intensivos de Adultos, del Hospital de Clínicas de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay, entre agosto de 2020 a agosto de 2021. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio observacional analítico de corte transverso. Los datos se obtuvieron a partir de las historias clínicas de los pacientes. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 214 pacientes críticos entre 21 y 85 años de edad (mediana 54 años), 57,9% del sexo masculino, 85% provenientes del Departamento Central y Asunción. La mortalidad global fue de 38,3%. Se asociaron significativamente con la mortalidad una edad ≥ 60 años, las comorbilidades (diabetes mellitus, cardiopatía, enfermedad renal crónica), los índices de gravedad (APACHE II, SOFA, inicial), procalcitonina elevada, utilización de vasopresor, asistencia respiratoria mecánica y utilización del decúbito prono; así como la presencia de SDRA y el requerimiento de depuración extrarenal. En el análisis multivariado (por regresión logística) los factores de riesgo de mortalidad independientes fueron: la edad mayor de 60 años, la utilización de noradrenalina y depuración extra-renal durante la hospitalización. CONCLUSIÓN: Nuestra mortalidad es similar a la reportada internacionalmente. Los factores de riesgo de mortalidad identificados muestran una población con mayores posibilidades de un desenlace desfavorable.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is a world health issue. Generally, it is with mild and around 5% evolves to a severe disease that requires intensive care. AIM: To determine the clinical profile, mortality and associated factors in COVID-19 patients admitted at the Adult Intensive Care Department at the Hospital de Clinicas, between August 2020 and August 2021. METHODS: Cross-section observational analytic study. Data was obtained from clinical charts. RESULTS: 214 patients were included, with an average age of 54 years, 57.9% male. Overall mortality was 38.3%. Factors associated significantly with mortality were: ≥60 years of age, comorbidity (diabetes mellitus, heart disease, chronic renal disease), severity index (APACHE II, initial SOFA), high procalcitonin, use of vasopressor, mechanical respiratory assistance and prone decubitus; as well as the presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome and hemodialysis. Multi varied analysis identified as mortality risk factors: ≥60 years of age, noradrenaline use and hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: Mortality rate is similar to that reported worldwide. Mortality risk factors identified show a population with higher possibilities for unfavorable outcome.

Pacientes críticos COVID-19. ¿Han variado el manejo y los resultados en la UCI tras un año de pandemia? Estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo, observacional / Critical patients COVID-19 has changed the management and outcomes in the ICU after 1 year of the pandemic? A multicenter, prospective, observational study

Objetivo: Comparar las características clínicas, los tratamientos y la evolución de los pacientes críticos con neumonía por COVID-19 atendidos en unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) tras un año de pandemia. Metodología: Estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo, en el que se incluyó pacientes críticos COVID-19 en 9 UCI del noroeste de España. Se compararon las características clínicas, los tratamientos y la evolución de pacientes ingresados en UCI durante los meses de marzo-abril de 2020 (periodo1) con pacientes ingresados en enero-febrero de 2021 (periodo2). Resultados: Se incluyeron 337 pacientes (98 en el periodo1 y 239 en el periodo2). En el periodo2 menos pacientes requirieron ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI) (65% vs 84%, p<0,001), utilizándose con mayor frecuencia cánulas nasales de alto flujo (CNAF) (70% vs 7%, p<0,001), ventilación mecánica no invasiva (VMNI) (40% vs 14%, p<0,001), corticoides (100% vs 96%, p=0,007) y posición de decúbito prono tanto en pacientes despiertos (42% vs 28%, p=0,012) como en pacientes intubados (67% vs 54%, p=0,034). Los días de VMI, de estancia en UCI y hospitalaria fueron inferiores en el periodo2. La mortalidad fue similar en los dos periodos estudiados (16% vs 17%). Conclusiones: Tras un año de pandemia, observamos que en los pacientes ingresados en UCI se ha utilizado con mayor frecuencia CNAF, VMNI, uso del decúbito prono y corticoides, disminuyendo los pacientes en VMI, así como los tiempos de estancia en UCI y de estancia hospitalaria. La mortalidad ha sido similar en los dos periodos a estudio.(AU)

Objective: To compare the clinical characteristics, treatments, and evolution of critical patients with COVID-19 pneumonia treated in intensive care units (ICU) after one year of pandemic. Methodology: Multicenter, prospective study, which included critical COVID-19 patients in 9 ICUs in northwestern Spain. The clinical characteristics, treatments, and evolution of patients admitted to the ICU during the months of March-April 2020 (period1) were compared with patients admitted in January-February 2021 (period2). Results: 337 patients were included (98 in period1 and 239 in period2). In period2, fewer patients required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (65% vs. 84%, P<.001), using high-flow nasal cannulas (CNAF) more frequently (70% vs. 7%, P<.001), ventilation non-invasive mechanical (NIMV) (40% vs. 14%, P<.001), corticosteroids (100% vs. 96%, P=.007) and prone position in both awake (42% vs. 28%, P=.012), and intubated patients (67% vs. 54%, P=.034). The days of IMV, ICU stay and hospital stay were lower in period2. Mortality was similar in the two periods studied (16% vs. 17%). Conclusions: After one year of pandemic, we observed that in patients admitted to the ICU, CNAF, NIMV, use of the prone position, and corticosteroids have been used more frequently, reducing the number of patients in IMV, and the length of stay in the ICU and hospital stay. Mortality was similar in the two study periods.(AU)

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-assisted surgery for traumatic bronchial rupture: a report of three cases.

Background: Traumatic tracheal rupture is a severe closed chest injury that often causes major respiratory and circulatory disturbances requiring emergency surgery. We have found that veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) employs lung-protective ventilation strategies to facilitate lung rest, aiming to minimize the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury, while ensuring adequate oxygenation. Case Description: We presented 3 critically ill patients who presented with traumatic bronchial rupture between 2019 and 2021, and underwent emergency thoracic surgery with the help of VV-ECMO. The ECMO support time, the operative time, the duration of postoperative hospital stay, and the postoperative mechanical ventilation time were collected in this study. All patients were successfully treated and discharged home. The duration of surgery ranged from 135 to 180 min, the duration of ECMO use ranged from 98 to 123 h, the duration of postoperative ventilator use ranged from 5 to 8 days, and the duration of postoperative hospital stay ranged from 14 to 30 days. All 3 patients had good postoperative pulmonary re-expansion, with no residual tracheal or bronchial stenosis, and good physical activity following the surgery. Conclusions: We reported successful use of VV-ECMO in critically ill patients with traumatic bronchial rupture presenting in acute respiratory and circulatory failure. Performing emergency surgery with ECMO-assisted support can provide more time to stabilize the patient and ensure the safety of the procedure. However, considering the small sample size of this study, larger cohorts with long-term follow-up data are needed to further evaluate its application.

Progress and Prospect in Intensive Care and Treatment of Patients with Solid Tumors / 肿瘤防治研究

The incidence of cancer has remained high in recent years, and anti-tumor treatment methods are emerging. Cancer treatment has undergone significant changes, and the survival rate of patients with cancer has significantly improved. Various types of new anti-tumor treatments may not only treat and control tumor growth but also place patients in critical situations that require treatment by intensive care medical personnel. Patients with cancer are in critical condition mainly due to three reasons: severe cases caused by cancer diseases themselves, complications during the perioperative period, and accompanying diseases and hospital acquired diseases. In the new situation, we should consider patient characteristics, such as abnormal metabolism, abnormal coagulation system, and abnormal immune mechanism, to save them from serious illness. We need to comprehensively evaluate patients with cancer, emphasize the role of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) treatment platform, and promote the treatment concept of planned transfer to ICU, to improve the success rate and efficiency of treatment. After transferring the patient out of the ICU, the planned follow-up anti-tumor treatment can still be continued as the endpoint of ICU treatment for critically ill patients with cancer. In the future, efforts will be devoted to establishing a discipline and talent echelon with distinctive characteristics of oncology critical care medicine and treating "the critical illness of cancer and the cancer of critical illness".

Research progress on risk prediction models for incontinence-associated dermatitis in critically ill patients / 中华护理杂志

Incontinence-associated dermatitis is one of the common complications in critically ill patients.This paper reviews the research progress of risk prediction models for incontinence-associated dermatitis in critically ill patients,introduces and compares the characteristics and application effects of different risk prediction models.The purpose is to provide ideas for constructing a localized risk prediction model and provide evidence for medical staff to identify risk factors of incontinence-associated dermatitis at an early stage and take preventive measures.

Alteraciones hemodinámicas en el paciente crítico portador de catéter venoso central al administrar drogas vasoactivas / Hemodynamic alterations in the critical patient with central venous catheter when administering vasoactive drugs

Los CVC (Catéteres Venosos Centrales) son de uso frecuente en las unidades de cuidados intensivos y reanimación para el manejo del paciente en una situación crítica. Estos catéteres aportan información valiosa para el diagnóstico, valoración del paciente y el tratamiento del mismo en situaciones graves de inestabilidad hemodinámica, principalmente. Es de vital importancia, el consenso hospitalario del uso de estos catéteres, ya que proporcionan una herramienta muy útil y con cada vez menos riesgos potenciales asociados a su uso.Los CVC tienen como objetivo, las mediciones hemodinámicas, aportes parenterales al paciente, cubrir necesidades de urgencia, extracciones sanguíneas, administración de fármacos vasoactivos, etc. Por sus características, son los más aptos para los pacientes de UCIs y REAs.Existen numerosos estudios que indican que en un catéter venoso central de tres/cinco luces, las extracciones de muestras para analítica, se deben llevar a cabo extrayendo una mínima cantidad de sangre de la luz proximal, sin lavado previo ni posterior1, con el fin de evitar la manipulación excesiva del catéter, y las anemias iatrogénicas debidas a la cantidad de sangre que se desecha. Sin embargo, no existe consenso, ni estudios de relevancia e investigación que indiquen cuál es la distribución adecuada de las perfusiones en un catéter venoso central de varias luces, cuando se administran drogas vasoactivas, tipo noradrenalina, dopamina, dobutamina, etc., ni tampoco cual es la repercusión hemodinámica si se realiza la extracción por otra rama del catéter venoso central. Los estándares de práctica de la terapia de infusión proporcionan recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia que publica la Infusión Nurses Society2 cada 5 años. Sí hay, por el contrario, estudios que demuestran cuál es la forma más adecuada del cambio de perfusiones cuando se terminan, con el fin de evitar las alteraciones hemodinámicas del paciente. (AU)

CVCs (Central Venous Catheters) are frequently used in intensive care and resuscitation units for the management of patients in a critical situation. These catheters provide valuable information for the diagnosis, assessment of the patient and the treatment of the same in serious situations of hemodynamic instability, mainly. It is of vital importance, the hospital consensus of the use of these catheters, since they provide a very useful tool and with fewer and fewer potential risks associated with their use.The CVCs have as their objective, hemodynamic measurements, parenteral contributions to the patient, cover emergency needs, blood extractions, administration of vasoactive drugs, etc. Due to their characteristics, they are the most suitable for patients with ICUs and OERs.There are numerous studies that indicate that in a three/five-light central venous catheter, the extractions of samples for analysis should be carried out by extracting a minimum amount of blood from the proximal lumen, without prior or subsequent washing1, in order to avoid excessive manipulation of the catheter, and iatrogenic anemias due to the amount of blood that is discarded. However, there is no consensus, nor studies of relevance and research that indicate what is the appropriate distribution of infusions in a central venous catheter of several lights, when vasoactive drugs, noradrenaline type, dopamine, dobutamine, etc. are administered, nor what is the hemodynamic repercussion if the extraction is performed by another branch of the central venous catheter. The infusion therapy standards of practice provide evidence-based recommendations published by the Nurses Society2 Infusion every 5 years. On the contrary, there are studies that demonstrate the most appropriate form of change in infusions when they are finished, in order to avoid hemodynamic alterations in the patient. (AU)

Utilidad de la plasmaféresis terapéutica en pacientes críticos con disfunción orgánica / Usefulness of therapeutic plasmapheresis in critical patients with organ dysfunction

Introducción: La aféresis terapéutica es el procedimiento que separa y remueve el plasma de la sangre total, con el objetivo de eliminar componentes considerados responsables patógenos de una enfermedad o de sus manifestaciones clínicas Objetivos: Analizar los aspectos generales de la aplicación de la técnica de plasmaféresis como alternativa de tratamiento en pacientes críticos con disfunción orgánica. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación bibliográfica-documental acerca del tema. Se consultaron fundamentalmente las bases de datos de SciELO y Pubmed de los últimos diez años. Análisis y síntesis de la información: Se describen los aspectos de la plasmaféresis, desde sus criterios de indicación; así como la aplicación del procedimiento en los pacientes con disfunción orgánica y sus resultados en la evolución del paciente. Conclusiones: Con la utilización de la plasmaféresis se encontró mejoría de los parámetros clínicos y de laboratorio en la mayoría de los pacientes en disfunción orgánica al egreso de la unidad de cuidados intensivos(AU)

Introduction: Therapeutic apheresis is the procedure that separates and removes plasma from whole blood, thus eliminating components considered pathogenic of a disease or its clinical manifestations. Objectives: To analyze the general aspects of de application of the plasmapheresis technique as an alternative treatment in oncohematological patients wish organic dysfunction. Methods: A bibliographic- documentary investigation was carried out on de subject The Scielo and Pubmed data bases were consulted. Analysis and synthesis of information: The technical aspects of plasmapheresis are described, based on its indication criteria, as well as the application of de technique in patients with organic dysfunction and its results in the evolution of the patient. Conclusions: With the use of the plasmapheresis technique improvement in clinical and laboratory parameters was found in the majority of organ dysfunction patients upon discharge from the intensive care unit(AU)

Caracterización de pacientes geriátricos con ventilación mecánica invasiva en cuidados intensivos / Characterization and evolution of the geriatric patient with invasive mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit

Introducción: La ventilación mecánica invasiva en pacientes geriátricos ingresados en las unidades de cuidados intensivos, es frecuente y tiene una letalidad elevada. Objetivos: Caracterizar a los pacientes geriátricos con ventilación mecánica invasiva y su evolución en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, en 149 pacientes geriátricos ingresados en la sala de cuidados intensivos. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, antecedentes patológicos personales, índices APACHE II y SOFA, perfil diagnóstico, diagnóstico al ingreso, aplicación de traqueostomía, tiempo de ventilación mecánica, estado al egreso y complicaciones. Se emplearon como medidas las frecuencias porcentajes; se evaluó la posible asociación entre las variables. Resultados: Predominó la edad de 70 a 79 años (44,9 por ciento) y el sexo masculino (53,7 por ciento). La mortalidad fue de 40,9 por ciento y se asoció a: valores elevados de los índices APACHE II y SOFA, pacientes quirúrgicos y tiempo de ventilación mecánica mayor de 7 días. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron: el síndrome de disfunción múltiple de órganos (23,4 por ciento), la neumonía asociada a la ventilación (22,8 por ciento) y la insuficiencia renal aguda (22,1 por ciento). Conclusiones: Los pacientes se caracterizan por el predomino del sexo masculino, edad menor de 80 años y presencia de enfermedades crónicas; el diagnóstico al ingreso más relevante, es el posoperatorio de afecciones quirúrgicas urgentes; la mortalidad se asociada al sexo femenino, al perfil quirúrgico, la gravedad de la enfermedad y el tiempo de ventilación mecánica. Las complicaciones se relacionan con la sepsis(AU)

Introduction: Invasive mechanical ventilation in geriatric patients admitted to intensive care units, is frequent and has a high lethality. Objectives: To characterize geriatric patients with invasive mechanical ventilation and their evolution in the intensive care unit. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in 149 geriatric patients admitted to the intensive care unit. The variables studied were: age, sex, personal pathological history, APACHE II and SOFA indices, diagnostic profile, diagnosis on admission, application of tracheostomy, time of mechanical ventilation, status at discharge and complications. Percentage and frequencies were used as measurements; the possible association between the variables was evaluated. Results: The age of 70 to 79 years (44.9 percent) and the male sex (53,7 percent) predominated. Mortality was 40,9 percent and was associated with: elevated APACHE II and SOFA indices, surgical patients, and mechanical ventilation time greater than 7 days. The most frequent complications were: multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (23,4 percent), ventilator-associated pneumonia (22,8 percent) and acute renal failure (22,1 percent). Conclusions: The characteristics were: age less than 80 years, most were male sex, history of chronic diseases and in the diagnosis at admission, urgent surgical conditions. Mortality was associated with female sex, surgical profile, severity of the disease, and time on mechanical ventilation. Complications were related to sepsis (AU)

Una mirada hacia las unidades decuidados intermedios / A look at the intermediate care units

Introducción: Las unidades de cuidados intermedios constituyen parte de los procesos de atención progresivo. Brindan asistencia continua a pacientes potencialmente graves, además ofrecen vigilancia y tratamiento en un nivel menor que las unidades de cuidados intensivos, pero superior a las salas de hospitalización convencionales. Objetivo: Motivar a los profesionales del nivel de atención secundaria a valorar las ventajas de la unidades de cuidados intermedios y fomentar su aplicación. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica minuciosa de 80 artículos publicados en español e inglés sin limitación de la fechas de publicación, en las bases de datos: PubMed, Latindex y Medline. Se utilizó la palabra clave Unidades de Cuidados Intermedios. Se aplicaron métodos de síntesis de la información y análisis crítico para crear un artículo de revisión y opinión. Resultados: De los artículos revisados 28 se incluyeron en el presente trabajo. Discusión: Entre las ventajas de hacer uso de unidades de cuidados intermedios están, disminución de costos, adecuada distribución de los recursos, reducción de las transferencias a prestadores externos, elevación de la calidad asistencial y disminución de ingresos en las unidades de cuidados intensivos. Varios países latinoamericanos carecen de unidades de cuidados intermedios, incrementándose los costos hospitalarios y afectándose la atención del paciente potencialmente grave. Conclusiones: Las unidades de cuidados intermedios representan un eslabón en la actividad asistencial del paciente potencialmente grave de gran importancia, con numerosas ventajas que impactan sobre los costos y calidad en la atención hospitalaria.

Sedoanalgesia con midazolam-ketamina en el paciente crítico ventilado mecánicamente / Sedoanalgesia with midazolam-ketamine in the mechanically ventilated critically ill patient

La sedoanalgesia en pacientes bajo ventilación mecánica artificial se recomienda para lograr una mejor satisfacción del paciente y prevenir complicaciones. El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una revisión bibliográfica sobre la acción sedoanalgésica de la combinación de midazolam-morfina comparado con midazolam-ketamina en pacientes críticos tratados con ventilación mecánica artificial. Se realizó una búsqueda manual y digital en diferentes bases de datos como Scielo, IBECS, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane y Wh, con los descriptores en inglés siguientes: sedation, midazolam-ketamine, midazolam-morfina AND mechanical ventilation AND crtical illness [MeSH Terms]. Se encontró un total de 60 artículos, todos realizados en seres humanos, 32 en los últimos 5 años, pero solo 16 a texto completo. De ellos, 7 eran revisiones sistemáticas sobre el tema y solo 4 ensayos clínicos. Ninguno utilizó la asociación midazolam-ketamina para la sedación. En la revisión realizada no se encontró ningún artículo que informara sobre las ventajas de la asociación midazolam-ketamina en la sedación del paciente crítico ventilado mecánicamente, lo que le confiere novedad a la investigación(AU)

The sedoanalgesia is recommended for patients under artificial mechanical ventilation in order to achieve better patient satisfaction and to prevent complications. The objective of this work was to carry out a literature review about the sedoanalgesic effect to the combination of midazolam-morphine compared with comidazolam-ketamine in critically ill patients treated with artificial mechanical ventilation. A manual and digital search was carried out in different databases such as Scielo, IBECS, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and Wh, using the following descriptors in English: sedation, midazolam-ketamine, midazolam-morphine, AND mechanical ventilation AND critical illness (MeSH terms). We found 60 articles, all of which reported human-related cases, 32 in the last 5 years, but only 16 at full text. Out of these, seven were systematic reviews about the subject and only four, clinical trials. We did not find any articles in the review that reported about the advantages of the association midazolam-ketamine in sedation of mechanically ventilated critically ill patients, a fact that confers novelty to the investigation.

Application of the transfer statement in inhouse transfer of critical patients / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective To evaluate the use of transfer statements in inhouse transport of critical patients.Methods By means of continuous enrollment,123 critical patients were enrolled as a control group for conventional transport,and 111 such patients were enrolled as an observation group for transport using the transfer statement.Then the incidence of adverse events,transport during and nurse-nurse collaboration level of the two groups were compared.Results In the control group,its incidence of adverse events was 13.8%,the mean transport during was(19.5 ± 8.4)minutes,and the mean score for nurse-nurse collaboration level was ( 101.87 ± 7.13 ).In the observation group,its incidence of adverse events was 5.4%,the mean transport during was(13.5 ± 5.4)minutes,and the mean score for nurse-nurse collaboration level was(106.15 ± 8.86).Implementing the transfer statement has cut back the incidence of adverse events (P<0.05)and the transport duration significantly(t=3.833,P<0.01),while improving the level of nurse-nurse cooperation significantly(t= -4.261,P<0.05).Conclusions The transfer statement can increase the safety of patient transport,promote organization and coordination of nurses,and improve the efficiency of transport.

Shortening Transfer Time of Critical Inpatients from Ward to Intensive Care Unit:Based on Six Sigma / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To shorten the transfer time of critical inpatients from wards to intensive care unit (ICU). Methods From Novem-ber to December, 2015, 30 critical inpatients transferred from wards to ICU were investigated, and analyzed with Six Sigma DMAIC five-step method. There were 7 main processes and 22 sub-processes refined in transfer procedure, as well as the key quality points and the factors influencing the safety of transferring. Some improvement advice were recommended, including multifunctional transfer cart, Check-list before Transfer to Intensive Care Unit for Critical Patients, setting up transport group, training for young nurses and application of SBAR communication. Other 30 critical inpatients transferred from wards to ICU, from May to June, 2016, after the series of control pro-grams, were investigated. Results After improvement, the total transfer time from wards to ICU decreased (t=15.052, P<0.001), without the increase of human power and unsafety issues. The rescue success rate increased from 91.67%to 98.01%. Conclusion The process transfer-ring patient from wards to ICU has been reengineered based on Six Sigma DMAIC management, that reduces the time and improve the res-cue success rate.