Tacrolimus and Mycophenolic Acid Blood Concentration and Cellular Rejection After Heart Transplantation in First Endomyocardial Biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid (MPA) are the most important immunosuppressive drugs in modern heart transplantation. The pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus are best described by a 2-compartment model. MPA has very variable pharmacokinetics. The aim of this research was to compare kinetics of the immunosuppressants' blood levels in a group of patients with and without graft rejection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a retrospective analysis of 39 consecutive adult orthotopic heart transplantations (OHT): 10 (9 men and 1 woman) in group R had graft rejection (ISHLT >2) in the first biopsy and 29 (22 men and 7 women) in group C were without rejection. Ischemic cardiomyopathy occurred in 2 of 7 and nonischemic cardiomyopathy in 8 of 22 (group R and group C, respectively). RESULTS: Patients did not differ between groups except diabetes, which occurred more often in group R. Immunosuppressive drug levels were: group R and group C, respectively, 2.13 ± 0.49 and 2.11 ± 0.72 µg/mL; P = .93 for mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and 9.42 ± 1.76 and 9.63 ± 2.30 ng/mL; P = .75 for tacrolimus. ICU stay was 14 ± 11 vs 15 ± 15 days; P = .76. There were 2 of 6 primary graft failures, 1 of 1 neurologic complications, and 0 of 6 reoperations (P < .05) in group R and group C, respectively. One patient died from group C in 30 days. During the hospital stay the incidence of graft rejection was diagnosed in 20 patients (16men and 4 women) (ISHLT >2 in endomyocardial biopsy) in the study population. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring of tacrolimus concentration in the early post--heart transplant period does not identify patients with rejection in the authors' study. Monitoring concentration of MMF does not identify patients with rejection. Further investigation is needed to evaluate factors responsible for post--heart transplant rejection in the early phase.

Procalcitonin Kinetics After Heart Transplantation and as a Marker of Infection in Early Postoperative Course.

INTRODUCTION: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker of systemic infection. Specificity of PCT is decreased because PCT is also elevated after heart transplantation (HTx). There is no established normal range of serum PCT concentrations after HTx yet. Our aim was to determine the course of PCT concentrations in patients after HTx in the early postoperative period, if we can discriminate postoperative increase in values from infectious complications. RESULTS: Of 39 patients we diagnosed infection in 11. These patients develop acute kidney injury significantly more often than in control group (group C) (5 in infection group [group I] and 2 in group C, P < .05), and 1 patient died within 30 days in group C. Seven patients developed primary graft dysfunction (3/4 + ECMO [extracorporeal membrane oxygenation], respectively, group I/group C) and 2 neurologic disorders in group I. Reoperation due to bleeding was 3 in each group. During the 14 days after HTx, serum PCT concentrations increased with maximum on the second postoperative day (group C: 30.6 ± 15.3 ng/mL; group I: 24.9 ± 44.3 ng/mL). Normal values for PCT were reached on day 8 in group C and 11 in group I. Mean PCT levels were similar: 8.7 ± 5.7 ng/mL vs 11.9 ± 13.1 ng/mL in group I vs group C, respectively. Patients in group I stayed longer in the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: Despite increase in serum concentration of PCT in early postoperative course after HTx there is no marker of infection. Trends in PCT serum concentration may be a valuable tool in diagnosis of infection in patients after HTx, but further investigation is needed.

Prognostic Value of Creatinine Concentration and Glomerular Filtration Rate in Acute Kidney Injury Development in the Early Postoperative Period After Heart Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Recipients of nonrenal organ transplants, including the heart, are at risk for developing acute kidney injury (AKI). This situation significantly jeopardized the outcome of patients. The most effective treatment is continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) AIM: The goal of this project is to verify the prognostic value of preoperative serum creatinine concentration and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula, to determine the risk of renal failure after grafting RESULTS: In the group of 39 patients, CRRT was needed in 7 patients (17.9%; group K); 32 patients were in the control group (group C). The pretransplant creatinine level in group K was 133.7 ± 31.3 µmol/L and in group C was 160.8 ± 97.6 µmol/L; P = .47. We did not find a difference between groups in GFR: group K 51 ± 6mL/min/1.73 m2 versus group C 43 ± 20 mL/min/1.73 m2; P = .65. Demographic data differed between groups. Patients in group C had significantly more often hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and previous neurologic disorders and were male. Patients with CRRT had longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays after transplantation than the control population: 25 ± 19 versus 12 ± 10 days; P = .02. Other results showed that primary graft dysfunction occurred in 2 patients in group K and 6 in the control group; 1 needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, and he died on the 12th day. The mean duration of renal replacement therapy was 9.8 days. There were 2 neurologic disorders-1 in each group-and 6 reoperations due to bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Developing AKI requiring CRRT after heart transplantation prolonged the length of ICU stays. Preoperative creatinine concentration and glomerular filtration rate do not predict AKI.

Readmissions to General ICUs in a Geographic Area of Poland Are Seemingly Associated with Better Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Various factors can contribute to high mortality rates in intensive care units (ICUs). Here, we intended to define a population of patients readmitted to general ICUs in Poland and to identify independent predictors of ICU readmission. METHODS: Data derived from adult ICU admissions from the Silesian region of Poland were analyzed. First-time ICU readmissions (≤30 days from ICU discharge after index admissions) were compared with first-time ICU admissions. Pre-admission and admission variables that independently influenced the need for ICU readmission were identified. RESULTS: Among the 21,495 ICU admissions, 839 were first-time readmissions (3.9%). Patients readmitted to the ICU had lower mean APACHE II (21.2 ± 8.0 vs. 23.2 ± 8.8, p < 0.001) and TISS-28 scores (33.7 ± 7.4 vs. 35.2 ± 7.8, p < 0.001) in the initial 24 h following ICU admission, compared to first-time admissions. ICU readmissions were associated with lower mortality vs. first-time admissions (39.2% vs. 44.3%, p = 0.004). Independent predictors for ICU readmission included the admission from a surgical ward (among admission sources), chronic respiratory failure, cachexia, previous stroke, chronic neurological diseases (among co-morbidities), and multiple trauma or infection (among primary reasons for ICU admission). CONCLUSIONS: High mortality associated with first-time ICU admissions is associated with a lower mortality rate during ICU readmissions.

[Readmission to the intensive care unit - epidemiology, prediction and clinical consequences].

Readmission to the ICU is considered a serious adverse event. The medical and economic impact of this complication is so significant, that a percentage of ICU readmissions is today considered an indicator of ICU quality. This review paper analyzes the available literature on epidemiology, prediction and the clinical effects of ICU readmissions. It turns out that there are no publications on this subject in the Polish literature. Data from other countries indicate, that a percentage of ICU readmissions depends on a variety of factors and is ranging from 2% to 15%. Hospitalization time after ICU readmission is longer and hospital mortality is higher. We do not have reliable tools for the prediction of this complication. In the Polish healthcare system, multidisciplinary ICUs are run by specialists in anaesthesiology and intensive therapy. Patients discharged from these departments constitute a high-risk population and are further referred to doctors representing various medical specialities. Few available data indicate that long-term outcomes of patients discharged from Polish ICU are very bad, especially in the elderly. The problem of maintaining proper continuity of treatment after discharge from a high level ofmedical supervision is therefore very important to ensure coordinated medical care.