Poor agreement in the calculation of venoarterial PCO2 to arteriovenous O2 content difference ratio using central and mixed venous blood samples in septic patients.

PURPOSE: Central venous minus arterial PCO2 to arterial minus central venous O2 content difference ratio (Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2) has been proposed as a clinical surrogate for respiratory quotient. Our goal was to assess its interchangeability with mixed venous minus arterial PCO2 to arterial minus mixed venous O2 content difference ratio (Pmv-aCO2/Ca-mvO2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a subanalysis of a previously published study. We studied 23 septic patients who had an indwelling Swan-Ganz catheter. The agreement between Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 and Pmv-aCO2/Ca-mvO2 was evaluated by Bland and Altman analysis. We also performed linear regression analysis with Pmv-aCO2/Ca-mvO2 as the dependent variable. RESULTS: 95% limits of agreement between Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 and Pmv-aCO2/Ca-mvO2 were 1.48. Pmv-aCO2/Ca-mvO2 was significantly correlated with hemoglobin and lactate (R2 = 0.48 and 0.31, respectively, P < 0.01 for both). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 and Pmv-aCO2/Ca-mvO2 were not interchangeable. In addition, Pmv-aCO2/Ca-mvO2 is a composite variable, which depends on several determinants. Values of Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 should be cautiously interpreted in the assessment of critically ill patients.

Similar Microcirculatory Alterations in Patients with Normodynamic and Hyperdynamic Septic Shock.

RATIONALE: In normodynamic septic shock, the quantitative assessment of sublingual microcirculation has shown decreases in perfused vascular density and red blood cell velocity. However, no studies have been performed in hyperdynamic septic shock. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the microcirculatory patterns and rule out the presence of fast red blood cell velocity in patients with hyperdynamic septic shock. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the sublingual microcirculation in healthy volunteers (n = 20) and in patients with hyperdynamic (n = 20) and normodynamic (n = 20) septic shock. Hyperdynamic septic shock was defined by a cardiac index >4.0 L/min/m(2). The microcirculation was assessed with sidestream dark field imaging and AVA 3.0 software. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were no differences in perfused vascular density, proportion of perfused vessels, or microvascular flow index between patients with hyperdynamic and normodynamic septic shock, but these variables were reduced compared with those of healthy volunteers, A similar pattern was observed in red blood cell velocity (912 ± 291, 968 ± 204, and 1303 ± 120 µm/s, respectively; P < 0.0001) and its coefficient of variation. In both types of septic shock, no microvessel had a red blood cell velocity higher than the 100th percentile value for healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with hyperdynamic septic shock showed microcirculatory alterations similar to those of patients with normal cardiac output. Both groups of patients had reduced perfused vascular density and red blood cell velocity and increased flow heterogeneity compared with that of healthy subjects. Fast red blood cell velocity was not found, even in patients with high cardiac output. These results support the conclusion that microcirculatory function is frequently dissociated from systemic hemodynamic derangements in septic shock.

Urinary strong ion difference is a major determinant of plasma chloride concentration changes in postoperative patients.

OBJECTIVE: To show that alterations in the plasma chloride concentration ([Cl-]plasma) during the postoperative period are largely dependent on the urinary strong ion difference ([SID]urine=[Na+]urine+[K+]urine-[Cl-]urine) and not on differences in fluid therapy. METHODS: Measurements were performed at intensive care unit admission and 24 hours later in a total of 148 postoperative patients. Patients were assigned into one of three groups according to the change in [Cl-]plasma at the 24 hours time point: increased [Cl-]plasma (n=39), decreased [Cl-]plasma (n=56) or unchanged [Cl-]plasma (n=53). RESULTS: On admission, the increased [Cl-]plasma group had a lower [Cl-]plasma (105 ± 5 versus 109 ± 4 and 106 ± 3 mmol/L, p<0.05), a higher plasma anion gap concentration ([AG]plasma) and a higher strong ion gap concentration ([SIG]). After 24 hours, the increased [Cl-]plasma group showed a higher [Cl-]plasma (111 ± 4 versus 104 ± 4 and 107 ± 3 mmol/L, p<0.05) and lower [AG]plasma and [SIG]. The volume and [SID] of administered fluids were similar between groups except that the [SID]urine was higher (38 ± 37 versus 18 ± 22 and 23 ± 18 mmol/L, p<0.05) in the increased [Cl-]plasma group at the 24 hours time point. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that the [Cl-]plasma on admission and [SID]urine were independent predictors of the variation in [Cl-]plasma 24 hours later. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in [Cl-]plasma during the first postoperative day were largely related to [SID]urine and [Cl-]plasma on admission and not to the characteristics of the infused fluids. Therefore, decreasing [SID]urine could be a major mechanism for preventing the development of saline-induced hyperchloremia.

Diferenca de ions fortes na urina como determinante importante das alteracoes na concentracao plasmatica de cloreto em pacientes no pos-operatorio / Urinary strong ion difference is a major determinant of plasma chloride concentration changes in postoperative patients

OBJETIVO: Demonstrar que alterações na concentração plasmática de cloreto ([Cl-]plasma) durante o período pós-operatório são amplamente dependentes da diferença de íons fortes urinária ([SID]urina=[Na+] urina+[K+] urina -[Cl-]urina) e não de diferenças na terapia hídrica. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas mensurações na admissão à unidade de terapia intensiva e 24 horas mais tarde em um total de 148 pacientes pós-operatórios. Os pacientes foram designados para um de três grupos segundo a alteração na concentração plasmática de cloreto após 24 horas: [Cl-]plasma aumentada (n=39), [Cl-]plasma diminuída (n=56) ou [Cl-]plasma inalterada (n=53). RESULTADOS: Quando da admissão, o grupo com [Cl-]plasma aumentada tinha [Cl-]plasma mais baixa (105±5 versus 109±4 e 106±3mmol/L; p<0,05), um ânion gap plasmático ([AG]plasma) mais alto e um íon gap forte mais alto. Após 24 horas, o grupo com [Cl-]plasma aumentada mostrou [Cl-]plasma mais alta (111±4 versus 104±4 e 107±3mmol/L; p<0,05) e nível plasmático mais baixo de [AG]plasma e íon gap forte. O volume e íon gap forte dos fluidos administrados foram similares entre os grupos, exceto que os [SID]urina eram mais altos (38±37 versus 18±22 e 23±18mmol/L; p<0,05) no grupo com [Cl-]plasma aumentada na avaliação após 24 horas. Uma análise de regressão linear múltipla demonstrou que a [Cl-]plasma na admissão e [SID]urina eram preditores independentes de variação na [Cl-]plasma 24 horas mais tarde. CONCLUSÕES: Alterações na [Cl-]plasma durante o primeiro dia pós-operatório foram amplamente relacionadas com [SID]urina e [Cl-]plasma na admissão, e não às características ...

OBJECTIVE: To show that alterations in the plasma chloride concentration ([Cl-]plasma) during the postoperative period are largely dependent on the urinary strong ion difference ([SID]urine=[Na+]urine+[K+]urine-[Cl-]urine) and not on differences in fluid therapy. METHODS: Measurements were performed at intensive care unit admission and 24 hours later in a total of 148 postoperative patients. Patients were assigned into one of three groups according to the change in [Cl-]plasma at the 24 hours time point: increased [Cl-]plasma (n=39), decreased [Cl-]plasma (n=56) or unchanged [Cl-]plasma (n=53). RESULTS: On admission, the increased [Cl-]plasma group had a lower [Cl-]plasma (105±5 versus 109±4 and 106±3mmol/L, p<0.05), a higher plasma anion gap concentration ([AG]plasma) and a higher strong ion gap concentration ([SIG]). After 24 hours, the increased [Cl-]plasma group showed a higher [Cl-]plasma (111±4 versus 104±4 and 107±3mmol/L, p<0.05) and lower [AG]plasma and [SIG]. The volume and [SID] of administered fluids were similar between groups except that the [SID]urine was higher (38±37 versus 18±22 and 23±18mmol/L, p<0.05) in the increased [Cl-]plasma group at the 24 hours time point. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that the [Cl-]plasma on admission and [SID]urine were independent predictors of the variation in [Cl-]plasma 24 hours later. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in [Cl-]plasma during the first postoperative day were largely related to [SID]urine and [Cl-]plasma on admission and not to the characteristics of the infused fluids. Therefore, decreasing [SID]urine could be a major mechanism for preventing the development of salineinduced hyperchloremia. .

Systemic and microcirculatory effects of dobutamine in patients with septic shock.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to characterize the cardiovascular responses to dobutamine and their predictors. Our hypotheses were that dobutamine mainly produces tachycardia and vasodilation and fails to improve the microcirculation of patients with septic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systemic hemodynamics and sublingual microcirculation were evaluated with dobutamine (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 µg kg(-1) min(-1)) in 23 patients with septic shock. RESULTS: Dobutamine increased heart rate, cardiac index, and stroke volume index (SVI). Mean blood pressure was unchanged, and systemic vascular resistance decreased. Individual responses were heterogeneous. Stroke volume index increased in 52% of the patients. These patients showed lower changes in mean blood pressure (3 ± 16 mm Hg vs -10 ± 6 mm Hg, P < .05) and higher increases in cardiac index (1.47 ± 0.93 L m(-1) m(-2) vs 0.20 ± 0.5 L m(-1) m(-2)) than did nonresponders. Changes in SVI significantly correlated with echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.55). In the whole group, perfused capillary density remained unchanged (14.0 ± 4.3 mm/mm(2) vs 14.8 ± 3.7 mm/mm(2)), but improved if basal values were 12 mm/mm(2) or less (9.1 ± 4.3 mm/mm(2) vs 12.5 ± 4.8 mm/mm(2)). CONCLUSIONS: Dobutamine produced variable hemodynamic effects. Systolic dysfunction was the only variable associated with increases in SVI. Finally, dobutamine only improved sublingual microcirculation when severe alterations were found at baseline.

Quantitative assessment of the microcirculation in healthy volunteers and in patients with septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: The microcirculation of septic patients has been characterized only semiquantitatively. Our goal was to characterize the sublingual microcirculation in healthy volunteers and patients with septic shock quantitatively. Our hypotheses were that 1) hyperdynamic blood flow is absent in septic shock; 2) nonsurvivors show more severe alterations than survivors; and 3) quantitative and semiquantitative microcirculatory parameters have a similar performance. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Teaching intensive care unit in a university-affiliated hospital. SUBJECTS: Twenty-five normal volunteers and 25 patients with septic shock. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The sublingual microcirculation was evaluated by means of sidestream dark field imaging. Semiquantitative and quantitative microcirculatory parameters were determined through the use of applied software. Septic patients showed decreased perfused capillary density (13.2±4.4 mm/mm² vs. 16.6±1.6 mm/mm²), proportion of perfused capillaries (0.78±0.23 vs. 1.00±0.01), microvascular flow index (2.15±0.61 vs. 2.97±0.03), and red blood cell velocity (830±183 µm/sec vs. 1332±187 µm/sec) along with increased heterogeneity flow index (1.64±1.14 vs. 0.25±0.19) compared with controls. No differences were found in total capillary density (16.9±2.2 vs. 16.7±1.6). Only 4% of capillaries analyzed showed red blood cell velocities>75th percentile of the velocities of the normal volunteers. The nonsurvivors exhibited decreased perfused capillary density, proportion of perfused capillaries, and microvascular flow index along with increased heterogeneity flow index compared with the survivors. The correlations between microvascular flow index and proportion of perfused capillaries, total capillary density and number of grid-crossing capillaries, and red blood cell velocities and microvascular flow index gave high R values (0.92, 0.65, and 0.52, respectively; p<.0001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The main characteristics of sublingual microcirculation in patients with septic shock are hypoperfusion and increased flow heterogeneity. Hyperdynamic microvascular blood flow was not found. Nonsurvivors showed more severe alterations than survivors. Quantitative and semiquantitative microcirculatory variables displayed similar behaviors.