Clinical Characteristics and In-Hospital Mortality of Cardiac Arrest Survivors in Brazil: A Large Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Data on cardiac arrest survivors from developing countries are scarce. This study investigated clinical characteristics associated with in-hospital mortality in resuscitated patients following cardiac arrest in Brazil. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: Ninety-two general ICUs from 55 hospitals in Brazil between 2014 and 2015. PATIENTS: Adult patients with cardiac arrest admitted to the ICU. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We analyzed 2,296 patients (53% men; median 67 yr (interquartile range, 54-79 yr]). Eight-hundred patients (35%) had a primary admission diagnosis of cardiac arrest suggesting an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; the remainder occurred after admission, comprising an in-hospital cardiac arrest cohort. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 83%, with only 6% undergoing withholding/withdrawal-of-life support. Random-effects multivariable Cox regression was used to assess associations with survival. After adjusting for age, sex, and severity scores, mortality was associated with shock (adjusted odds ratio, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.11-1.39]; p < 0.001), temperature dysregulation (adjusted odds ratio for normothermia, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.76-0.95]; p = 0.007), increased lactate levels above 4 mmol/L (adjusted odds ratio, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.1-1.6; p = 0.009), and surgical or cardiac cases (adjusted odds ratio, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.6-0.86]; p = 0.002). In addition, survival was better in patients with probable out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, unless ICU admission was delayed (adjusted odds ratio for interaction, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.21-2.21]; p = 004). CONCLUSIONS: In a large multicenter cardiac arrest cohort from Brazil, we found a high mortality rate and infrequent withholding/withdrawal of life support. We also identified patient profiles associated with worse survival, such as those with shock/hypoperfusion and arrest secondary to nonsurgical admission diagnoses. Our findings unveil opportunities to improve postarrest care in developing countries, such as prompt ICU admission, expansion of the use of targeted temperature management, and implementation of shock reversal strategies (i.e., early coronary angiography), according to modern guidelines recommendations.

Resuscitation fluid practices in Brazilian intensive care units: a secondary analysis of Fluid-TRIPS. / Práticas de ressuscitação volêmica em unidades de terapia intensiva brasileiras: uma análise secundária do estudo Fluid-TRIPS.

OBJECTIVE: To describe fluid resuscitation practices in Brazilian intensive care units and to compare them with those of other countries participating in the Fluid-TRIPS. METHODS: This was a prospective, international, cross-sectional, observational study in a convenience sample of intensive care units in 27 countries (including Brazil) using the Fluid-TRIPS database compiled in 2014. We described the patterns of fluid resuscitation use in Brazil compared with those in other countries and identified the factors associated with fluid choice. RESULTS: On the study day, 3,214 patients in Brazil and 3,493 patients in other countries were included, of whom 16.1% and 26.8% (p < 0.001) received fluids, respectively. The main indication for fluid resuscitation was impaired perfusion and/or low cardiac output (Brazil: 71.7% versus other countries: 56.4%, p < 0.001). In Brazil, the percentage of patients receiving crystalloid solutions was higher (97.7% versus 76.8%, p < 0.001), and 0.9% sodium chloride was the most commonly used crystalloid (62.5% versus 27.1%, p < 0.001). The multivariable analysis suggested that the albumin levels were associated with the use of both crystalloids and colloids, whereas the type of fluid prescriber was associated with crystalloid use only. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that crystalloids are more frequently used than colloids for fluid resuscitation in Brazil, and this discrepancy in frequencies is higher than that in other countries. Sodium chloride (0.9%) was the crystalloid most commonly prescribed. Serum albumin levels and the type of fluid prescriber were the factors associated with the choice of crystalloids or colloids for fluid resuscitation.

OBJETIVO: Descrever as práticas de ressuscitação volêmica em unidades de terapia intensiva brasileiras e compará-las com as de outros países participantes do estudo Fluid-TRIPS. MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo observacional transversal, prospectivo e internacional, de uma amostra de conveniência de unidades de terapia intensiva de 27 países (inclusive o Brasil), com utilização da base de dados Fluid-TRIPS compilada em 2014. Descrevemos os padrões de ressuscitação volêmica utilizados no Brasil em comparação com os de outros países e identificamos os fatores associados com a escolha dos fluidos. RESULTADOS: No dia do estudo, foram incluídos 3.214 pacientes do Brasil e 3.493 pacientes de outros países, dos quais, respectivamente, 16,1% e 26,8% (p < 0,001) receberam fluidos. A principal indicação para ressuscitação volêmica foi comprometimento da perfusão e/ou baixo débito cardíaco (Brasil 71,7% versus outros países 56,4%; p < 0,001). No Brasil, a percentagem de pacientes que receberam soluções cristaloides foi mais elevada (97,7% versus 76,8%; p < 0,001), e solução de cloreto de sódio a 0,9% foi o cristaloide mais comumente utilizado (62,5% versus 27,1%; p < 0,001). A análise multivariada sugeriu que os níveis de albumina se associaram com o uso tanto de cristaloides quanto de coloides, enquanto o tipo de prescritor dos fluidos se associou apenas com o uso de cristaloides. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que cristaloides são usados mais frequentemente do que coloides para ressuscitação no Brasil, e essa discrepância, em termos de frequências, é mais elevada do que em outros países. A solução de cloreto de sódio 0,9% foi o cristaloide mais frequentemente prescrito. Os níveis de albumina sérica e o tipo de prescritor de fluidos foram os fatores associados com a escolha de cristaloides ou coloides para a prescrição de fluidos.

Association of frailty with short-term outcomes, organ support and resource use in critically ill patients.

PURPOSE: Frail patients are known to experience poor outcomes. Nevertheless, we know less about how frailty manifests itself in patients' physiology during critical illness and how it affects resource use in intensive care units (ICU). We aimed to assess the association of frailty with short-term outcomes and organ support used by critically ill patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospective collected data from 93 ICUs in Brazil from 2014 to 2015. We assessed frailty using the modified frailty index (MFI). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were discharge home without need for nursing care, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), and utilization of ICU organ support and transfusion. We used mixed logistic regression and competing risk models accounting for relevant confounders in outcome analyses. RESULTS: The analysis consisted of 129,680 eligible patients. There were 40,779 (31.4%) non-frail (MFI = 0), 64,407 (49.7%) pre-frail (MFI = 1-2) and 24,494 (18.9%) frail (MFI ≥ 3) patients. After adjusted analysis, frailty was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.89-3.08), particularly in patients admitted with lower SOFA scores. Frail patients were less likely to be discharged home (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.54-0.79) and had higher hospital and ICU LOS than non-frail patients. Use of all forms of organ support (mechanical ventilation, non-invasive ventilation, vasopressors, dialysis and transfusions) were more common in frail patients and increased as MFI increased. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty, as assessed by MFI, was associated with several patient-centered endpoints including not only survival, but also ICU LOS and organ support.

Role of organisational factors on the 'weekend effect' in critically ill patients in Brazil: a retrospective cohort analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Higher mortality for patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) during the weekends has been occasionally reported with conflicting results that could be related to organisational factors. We investigated the effects of ICU organisational and staffing patterns on the potential association between weekend admission and outcomes in critically ill patients. METHODS: We included 59 614 patients admitted to 78 ICUs participating during 2013. We defined 'weekend admission' as any ICU admission from Friday 19:00 until Monday 07:00. We assessed the association between weekend admission with hospital mortality using a mixed logistic regression model controlling for both patient-level (illness severity, age, comorbidities, performance status and admission type) and ICU-level (decrease in nurse/bed ratio on weekend, full-time intensivist coverage, use of checklists on weekends and number of institutional protocols) confounders. We performed secondary analyses in the subgroup of scheduled surgical admissions. RESULTS: A total of 41 894 patients (70.3%) were admitted on weekdays and 17 720 patients (29.7%) on weekends. In univariable analysis, weekend admitted patients had higher ICU (10.9% vs 9.0%, P<0.001) and hospital (16.5% vs 13.5%, P<0.001) mortality. After adjusting for confounders, weekend admission was not associated with higher hospital mortality (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.12, P=0.095). However, a 'weekend effect' was still observed in scheduled surgical admissions, as well as in ICUs not using checklists during the weekends. For unscheduled admissions, no 'weekend effect' was observed regardless of ICU's characteristics. For scheduled surgical admissions, a 'weekend effect' was present only in ICUs with a low number of implemented protocols and those with a reduction in the nurse/bed ratio and not applying checklists during weekends. CONCLUSIONS: ICU organisational factors, such as decreased nurse-to-patient ratio, absence of checklists and fewer standardised protocols, may explain, in part, increases in mortality in patients admitted to the ICU mortality on weekends.

Influence of perfusion status on central and mixed venous oxygen saturation in septic patients / Influência do status perfusional nas saturações venosas de oxigênio central e mista em pacientes sépticos

Abstract Background and objectives Although there is controversy regarding the role of venous oxygen saturation in the initial resuscitation of septic patients with hypoperfusion these markers are still widely used. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation and concordance between central (SvcO2) and mixed (SvO2) oxygen saturation in septic shock patients with or without hypoperfusion in addition to the impact of these differences in patient conduction. Methods Patients with septic shock were monitored with pulmonary artery catheter and the following subgroups of hypoperfusion were analyzed: 1) lactate > 28 mg.dL-1; 2) base excess ≤ -5 mmol.L-1; 3) venoarterial CO2 gradient > 6 mmHg; 4) SvO2 < 65%; 5) SvcO2 < 70%; 6) lactate > 28 mg.dL-1 and SvO2 < 70%; 7) lactate > 28 mg.dL-1 and SvcO2 < 75%. Results Seventy-seven samples from 24 patients were included. There was only a moderate correlation between SvO2 and SvcO2 (r = 0.72, p = 0.0001) and there was no good concordance between these variables (7.35% bias and 95% concordance limits of -3.0% to 17.7%). Subgroup analysis according to the presence of hypoperfusion showed no differences in concordance between variables. There was discordance regarding clinical management in 13.8% (n = 9) of the cases. Conclusions There is a moderate correlation between SvO2 and SvcO2; however, the concordance between them is inadequate. It was not possible to demonstrate that the presence of hypoperfusion alters the concordance between SvO2 and SvcO2. The use of SvO2 instead of SvcO2 may lead to changes in clinical management in a small but clinically relevant portion of patients.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos Embora haja controvérsias sobre o papel das saturações venosas de oxigênio na ressuscitação inicial do paciente séptico com hipoperfusão, esses marcadores são ainda bastante usados. Este estudo procurou avaliar a correlação e a concordância entre as saturações venosas central (SvcO2) e mista (SvO2) de oxigênio em pacientes com choque séptico, na presença ou não de hipoperfusão, além do impacto dessas diferenças na condução clínica do paciente. Métodos Foram incluídos pacientes com choque séptico monitorados com cateter de artéria pulmonar e analisados os seguintes subgrupos de hipoperfusão: 1) Lactato > 28 mg.dL-1; 2) Excesso de bases ≤ -5 mmoL.L-1; 3) Gradiente venoarterial de CO2 > 6 mmHg; 4) SvO2 < 65%; 5) SvcO2 < 70%; 6) Lactato > 28 mg.dL-1 e SvO2 < 70%; 7) Lactato > 28 mg.dL-1 e SvcO2 < 75%. Resultados Foram incluídas 70 amostras de 24 pacientes. Houve apenas correlação moderada entre SvO2 e SvcO2 (r = 0,72; p = 0,0001) e não houve boa concordância entre essas variáveis (viés de 7,35% e limites de concordância de 95% de -3,0%-17,7%). A análise dos subgrupos de acordo com a presença de hipoperfusão não mostrou diferenças na concordância entre as variáveis. Houve discordância na conduta clínica em 13,8% dos casos (n = 9). Conclusões Existe correlação moderada entre SvO2 e SvcO2, entretanto a concordância entre elas é inadequada. Não foi possível demonstrar que a presença de hipoperfusão altera a concordância entre a entre SvO2 e SvcO2. O uso da SvO2 em vez da SvcO2 pode levar a alterações na conduta clínica numa parcela pequena, porém clinicamente relevante, dos pacientes.

Quality Improvement Initiatives in Sepsis in an Emerging Country: Does the Institution's Main Source of Income Influence the Results? An Analysis of 21,103 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the results of a quality improvement initiative in sepsis in an emerging setting and to analyze it according to the institutions' main source of income (public or private). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of the Latin American Sepsis Institute database from 2005 to 2014. SETTINGS: Brazilian public and private institutions. PATIENTS: Patients with sepsis admitted in the participant institutions. INTERVENTIONS: The quality improvement initiative was based on a multifaceted intervention. The institutions were instructed to collect data on 6-hour bundle compliance and outcomes in patients with sepsis in all hospital settings. Outcomes and compliance was measured for eight periods of 6 months each, starting at the time of the enrollment in the intervention. The primary outcomes were hospital mortality and compliance with 6-hour bundle. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We included 21,103 patients; 9,032 from public institutions and 12,071 from private institutions. Comparing the first period with the eigth period, compliance with the 6-hour bundle increased from 13.5% to 58.2% in the private institutions (p < 0.0001) and from 7.4% to 15.7% in the public institutions (p < 0.0001). Mortality rates significantly decreased throughout the program in private institutions, from 47.6% to 27.2% in the eighth period (adjusted odds ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.32-0.64). However, in the public hospitals, mortality diminished significantly only in the first two periods. CONCLUSION: This quality improvement initiative in sepsis in an emerging country was associated with a reduction in mortality and with improved compliance with quality indicators. However, this reduction was sustained only in private institutions.

[Influence of perfusion status on central and mixed venous oxygen saturation in septic patients]. / Influência do status perfusional nas saturações venosas de oxigênio central e mista em pacientes sépticos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although there is controversy regarding the role of venous oxygen saturation in the initial resuscitation of septic patients with hypoperfusion, these markers are still widely used. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation and concordance between central (SvcO2) and mixed (SvO2) oxygen saturation in septic shock patients with or without hypoperfusion, in addition to the impact of these differences in patient conduction. METHODS: Patients with septic shock were monitored with pulmonary artery catheter and the following subgroups of hypoperfusion were analyzed: 1) lactate>28mg.dL-1; 2) base excess ≤ -5mmoL.L-1; 3) venoarterial CO2 gradient>6mmHg; 4) SvO2<65%; 5) SvcO2<70%; 6) lactate>28mg.dL-1 and SvO2<70%; 7) lactate>28mg.dL-1 and SvcO2<75%. RESULTS: Seventy-seven samples from 24 patients were included. There was only a moderate correlation between SvO2 and SvcO2 (r=0.72, p=0.0001) and there was no good concordance between these variables (7.35% bias and 95% concordance limits of -3.0%-17.7%). Subgroup analysis according to the presence of hypoperfusion showed no differences in concordance between variables. There was discordance regarding clinical management in 13.8% (n=9) of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: There is a moderate correlation between SvO2 and SvcO2; however, the concordance between them is inadequate. It was not possible to demonstrate that the presence of hypoperfusion alters the concordance between SvO2 and SvcO2. The use of SvO2 instead of SvcO2 may lead to changes in clinical management in a small but clinically relevant portion of patients.

Mechanical Ventilation in Sepsis: A Reappraisal.

Sepsis is the main cause of close to 70% of all cases of acute respiratory distress syndromes (ARDS). In addition, sepsis increases susceptibility to ventilator-induced lung injury. Therefore, the development of a ventilatory strategy that can achieve adequate oxygenation without injuring the lungs is highly sought after for patients with acute infection and represents an important therapeutic window to improve patient care. Suboptimal ventilatory settings cannot only harm the lung, but may also contribute to the cascade of organ failure in sepsis due to organ crosstalk.Despite the prominent role of sepsis as a cause for lung injury, most of the studies that addressed mechanical ventilation strategies in ARDS did not specifically assess sepsis-related ARDS patients. Consequently, most of the recommendations regarding mechanical ventilation in sepsis patients are derived from ARDS trials that included multiple clinical diagnoses. While there have been important improvements in general ventilatory management that should apply to all critically ill patients, sepsis-related lung injury might still have particularities that could influence bedside management.After revisiting the interplay between sepsis and ventilation-induced lung injury, this review will reappraise the evidence for the major components of the lung protective ventilation strategy, emphasizing the particularities of sepsis-related acute lung injury.

Organizational characteristics, outcomes, and resource use in 78 Brazilian intensive care units: the ORCHESTRA study.

PURPOSE: Detailed information on organization and process of care in intensive care units (ICU) in emerging countries is scarce. Here, we investigated the impact of organizational factors on the outcomes and resource use in a large sample of Brazilian ICUs. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 59,693 patients (medical admissions, 67 %) admitted to 78 ICUs during 2013. We retrieved patients' data from an ICU quality registry and surveyed ICUs regarding structure, organization, staffing patterns, and process of care. We used multilevel logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with hospital mortality. Efficient resource use was assessed by estimating standardized resource use and mortality rates adjusted for the SAPS 3 score. RESULTS: ICUs were mostly medical-surgical (79 %) and located at private hospitals (86 %). Median nurse to bed ratio was 0.20 (IQR, 0.15-0.28) and board-certified intensivists were present 24/7 in 16 (21 %) of ICUs. Multidisciplinary rounds occurred in 67 (86 %) and daily checklists were used in 36 (46 %) ICUs. Most frequent protocols focused on sepsis management and prevention of healthcare-associated infections. Hospital mortality was 14.4 %. In multivariable analysis, the number of protocols was the only organizational characteristic associated with mortality [odds ratio = 0.944 (95 % CI 0.904-0.987)]. The effects of protocols were consistent across subgroups including surgical and medical patients as well as the SAPS 3 tertiles. We also observed a significant trend toward efficient resource use as the number of protocols increased. CONCLUSIONS: In emerging countries such as Brazil, organizational factors, including the implementation of protocols, are potential targets to improve patient outcomes and resource use in ICUs.

Blood transfusions in septic shock: is 7.0 g/dL really the appropriate threshold?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immediate effects of red blood cell transfusion on central venous oxygen saturation and lactate levels in septic shock patients with different transfusion triggers. METHODS: We included patients with a diagnosis of septic shock within the last 48 hours and hemoglobin levels below 9.0 g/dL Patients were randomized for immediate transfusion with hemoglobin concentrations maintained above 9.0 g/dL (Group Hb9) or to withhold transfusion unless hemoglobin felt bellow 7.0 g/dL (Group Hb7). Hemoglobin, lactate, central venous oxygen saturation levels were determined before and one hour after each transfusion. RESULTS: We included 46 patients and 74 transfusions. Patients in Group Hb7 had a significant reduction in median lactate from 2.44 (2.00 - 3.22) mMol/L to 2.21 (1.80 - 2.79) mMol/L, p = 0.005, which was not observed in Group Hb9 [1.90 (1.80 - 2.65) mMol/L to 2.00 (1.70 - 2.41) mMol/L, p = 0.23]. Central venous oxygen saturation levels increased in Group Hb7 [68.0 (64.0 - 72.0)% to 72.0 (69.0 - 75.0)%, p < 0.0001] but not in Group Hb9 [72.0 (69.0 - 74.0)% to 72.0 (71.0 - 73.0)%, p = 0.98]. Patients with elevated lactate or central venous oxygen saturation < 70% at baseline had a significant increase in these variables, regardless of baseline hemoglobin levels. Patients with normal values did not show a decrease in either group. CONCLUSION: Red blood cell transfusion increased central venous oxygen saturation and decreased lactate levels in patients with hypoperfusion regardless of their baseline hemoglobin levels. Transfusion did not appear to impair these variables in patients without hypoperfusion. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01611753.

Transfusões de sangue no choque séptico: 7, 0g/dL é mesmo o limite adequado? / Blood transfusions in septic shock: is 7. 0g/dL really the appropriate threshold?

Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos imediatos da transfusão de hemácias nos níveis de saturação venosa central de oxigênio e de lactato em pacientes com choque séptico usando diferentes níveis gatilho de hemoglobina para indicar transfusão. Métodos: Incluímos pacientes com diagnóstico de choque séptico nas últimas 48 horas e níveis de hemoglobina abaixo de 9,0g/dL. Os pacientes foram randomizados para receber imediatamente transfusão se as concentrações se mantivessem acima de 9,0g/dL (Grupo Hb9) ou adiar a transfusão até que a hemoglobina caísse abaixo de 7,0g/dL (Grupo Hb7). Os níveis de hemoglobina, lactato e saturação venosa central de oxigênio foram determinados antes e 1 hora após cada transfusão. Resultados: Incluímos 46 pacientes, totalizando 74 transfusões. Os pacientes do Grupo Hb7 tiveram uma redução significante nos níveis medianos de lactato de 2,44 (2,00 - 3,22) mMol/L para 2,21 (1,80 - 2,79) mMol/L; p = 0,005. Isto não foi observado no Grupo Hb9 [1,90 (1,80 - 2,65) mMol/L para 2,00 (1,70 - 2,41) mMol/L; p = 0,23]. A saturação venosa central de oxigênio aumentou no Grupo Hb7 [68,0 (64,0 - 72,0)% para 72,0 (69,0 - 75,0)%; p < 0,0001], mas não no Grupo Hb9 [72,0 (69,0 - 74,0)% para 72,0 (71,0 - 73,0)%; p = 0,98]. Pacientes com elevados níveis de lactato ou saturação venosa central de oxigênio menor que 70% na avaliação basal tiveram um aumento significante nessas variáveis, independentemente dos níveis basais de hemoglobina. Pacientes com valores normais não demonstraram diminuição em quaisquer dos grupos. Conclusão: A transfusão de hemácias aumentou a saturação venosa central de oxigênio e diminuiu os níveis de lactato em pacientes com hipoperfusão, independentemente de seus níveis basais de hemoglobina. A transfusão não pareceu influenciar essas variáveis em pacientes sem hipoperfusão. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01611753 .

Objective: To evaluate the immediate effects of red blood cell transfusion on central venous oxygen saturation and lactate levels in septic shock patients with different transfusion triggers. Methods: We included patients with a diagnosis of septic shock within the last 48 hours and hemoglobin levels below 9.0g/dL Patients were randomized for immediate transfusion with hemoglobin concentrations maintained above 9.0g/dL (Group Hb9) or to withhold transfusion unless hemoglobin felt bellow 7.0g/dL (Group Hb7). Hemoglobin, lactate, central venous oxygen saturation levels were determined before and one hour after each transfusion. Results: We included 46 patients and 74 transfusions. Patients in Group Hb7 had a significant reduction in median lactate from 2.44 (2.00 - 3.22) mMol/L to 2.21 (1.80 - 2.79) mMol/L, p = 0.005, which was not observed in Group Hb9 [1.90 (1.80 - 2.65) mMol/L to 2.00 (1.70 - 2.41) mMol/L, p = 0.23]. Central venous oxygen saturation levels increased in Group Hb7 [68.0 (64.0 - 72.0)% to 72.0 (69.0 - 75.0)%, p < 0.0001] but not in Group Hb9 [72.0 (69.0 - 74.0)% to 72.0 (71.0 - 73.0)%, p = 0.98]. Patients with elevated lactate or central venous oxygen saturation < 70% at baseline had a significant increase in these variables, regardless of baseline hemoglobin levels. Patients with normal values did not show a decrease in either group. Conclusion: Red blood cell transfusion increased central venous oxygen saturation and decreased lactate levels in patients with hypoperfusion regardless of their baseline hemoglobin levels. Transfusion did not appear to impair these variables in patients without hypoperfusion. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01611753 .

Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part 2.

Perspectives on invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support for critically ill patients are evolving, as much evidence indicates that ventilation may have positive effects on patient survival and the quality of the care provided in intensive care units in Brazil. For those reasons, the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB) and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia - SBPT), represented by the Mechanical Ventilation Committee and the Commission of Intensive Therapy, respectively, decided to review the literature and draft recommendations for mechanical ventilation with the goal of creating a document for bedside guidance as to the best practices on mechanical ventilation available to their members. The document was based on the available evidence regarding 29 subtopics selected as the most relevant for the subject of interest. The project was developed in several stages, during which the selected topics were distributed among experts recommended by both societies with recent publications on the subject of interest and/or significant teaching and research activity in the field of mechanical ventilation in Brazil. The experts were divided into pairs that were charged with performing a thorough review of the international literature on each topic. All the experts met at the Forum on Mechanical Ventilation, which was held at the headquarters of AMIB in São Paulo on August 3 and 4, 2013, to collaboratively draft the final text corresponding to each sub-topic, which was presented to, appraised, discussed and approved in a plenary session that included all 58 participants and aimed to create the final document.

Recomendações brasileiras de ventilação mecânica 2013. Parte 2 / Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part 2

O suporte ventilatório artificial invasivo e não invasivo ao paciente grave tem evoluído e inúmeras evidências têm surgido, podendo ter impacto na melhora da sobrevida e da qualidade do atendimento oferecido nas unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil. Isto posto, a Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira (AMIB) e a Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia (SBPT) - representadas por seu Comitê de Ventilação Mecânica e sua Comissão de Terapia Intensiva, respectivamente, decidiram revisar a literatura e preparar recomendações sobre ventilação mecânica, objetivando oferecer aos associados um documento orientador das melhores práticas da ventilação mecânica na beira do leito, com base nas evidências existentes, sobre os 29 subtemas selecionados como mais relevantes no assunto. O projeto envolveu etapas que visaram distribuir os subtemas relevantes ao assunto entre experts indicados por ambas as sociedades, que tivessem publicações recentes no assunto e/ou atividades relevantes em ensino e pesquisa no Brasil, na área de ventilação mecânica. Esses profissionais, divididos por subtemas em duplas, responsabilizaram-se por fazer uma extensa revisão da literatura mundial. Reuniram-se todos no Fórum de Ventilação Mecânica, na sede da AMIB, na cidade de São Paulo (SP), em 3 e 4 de agosto de 2013, para finalização conjunta do texto de cada subtema e apresentação, apreciação, discussão e aprovação em plenária pelos 58 participantes, permitindo a elaboração de um documento final.

Perspectives on invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support for critically ill patients are evolving, as much evidence indicates that ventilation may have positive effects on patient survival and the quality of the care provided in intensive care units in Brazil. For those reasons, the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB) and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia - SBPT), represented by the Mechanical Ventilation Committee and the Commission of Intensive Therapy, respectively, decided to review the literature and draft recommendations for mechanical ventilation with the goal of creating a document for bedside guidance as to the best practices on mechanical ventilation available to their members. The document was based on the available evidence regarding 29 subtopics selected as the most relevant for the subject of interest. The project was developed in several stages, during which the selected topics were distributed among experts recommended by both societies with recent publications on the subject of interest and/or significant teaching and research activity in the field of mechanical ventilation in Brazil. The experts were divided into pairs that were charged with performing a thorough review of the international literature on each topic. All the experts met at the Forum on Mechanical Ventilation, which was held at the headquarters of AMIB in São Paulo on August 3 and 4, 2013, to collaboratively draft the final text corresponding to each sub-topic, which was presented to, appraised, discussed and approved in a plenary session that included all 58 participants and aimed to create the final document.

Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part I.

Perspectives on invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support for critically ill patients are evolving, as much evidence indicates that ventilation may have positive effects on patient survival and the quality of the care provided in intensive care units in Brazil. For those reasons, the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB) and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumonia e Tisiologia - SBPT), represented by the Mechanical Ventilation Committee and the Commission of Intensive Therapy, respectively, decided to review the literature and draft recommendations for mechanical ventilation with the goal of creating a document for bedside guidance as to the best practices on mechanical ventilation available to their members. The document was based on the available evidence regarding 29 subtopics selected as the most relevant for the subject of interest. The project was developed in several stages, during which the selected topics were distributed among experts recommended by both societies with recent publications on the subject of interest and/or significant teaching and research activity in the field of mechanical ventilation in Brazil. The experts were divided into pairs that were charged with performing a thorough review of the international literature on each topic. All the experts met at the Forum on Mechanical Ventilation, which was held at the headquarters of AMIB in São Paulo on August 3 and 4, 2013, to collaboratively draft the final text corresponding to each sub-topic, which was presented to, appraised, discussed and approved in a plenary session that included all 58 participants and aimed to create the final document.

Transfusional profile in different types of intensive care units.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: anemia is a common clinical finding in intensive care units. The red blood cell transfusion is the main form of treatment, despite the associated risks. Thus, we proposed to evaluate the profile of transfusional patients in different intensive care units. METHODS: prospective analysis of patients admitted in the intensive care units of a tertiary university hospital with an indication for transfusion of packed red blood cells. Demographic profile and transfusional profile were collected, a univariate analysis was done, and the results were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: 408 transfusions were analyzed in 71 patients. The mean hemoglobin concentration on admission was 9.7 ± 2.3g/dL and the pre-transfusional concentration was 6.9 ± 1.1g/dL. The main indications for transfusion were hemoglobin concentration (49%) and active bleeding (32%). The median number of units transfused per episode was 2 (1-2) and the median storage time was 14 (7-21) days. The number of patients transfused with hemoglobin levels greater than 7 g/dL and the number of bags transfused per episode were significantly different among intensive care units. Patients who received three or more transfusions had longer mechanical ventilation time and intensive care unit stay and higher mortality after 60 days. There was an association of mortality with disease severity but not with transfusional characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: the practice of blood products transfusion was partially in agreement with the guidelines recommended, although there are differences in behavior between the different profiles of intensive care units. Transfused patients evolved with unfavorable outcomes. Despite the scarcity of blood in blood banks, the mean storage time of the bags was high.

Transfusional profile in different types of intensive care units / Perfil transfusional em diferentes tipos de unidades de terapia intensiva / Perfil transfusional en diferentes tipos de unidades de cuidados intensivos

Background and objectives: anemia is a common clinical finding in intensive care units. The red blood cell transfusion is the main form of treatment, despite the associated risks. Thus, we proposed to evaluate the profile of transfusional patients in different intensive care units. Methods: prospective analysis of patients admitted in the intensive care units of a tertiary university hospital with an indication for transfusion of packed red blood cells. Demographic profile and transfusional profile were collected, a univariate analysis was done, and the results were considered significant at p = 0.05. Results: 408 transfusions were analyzed in 71 patients. The mean hemoglobin concentration on admission was 9.7 ± 2.3 g/dL and the pre-transfusional concentration was 6.9 ± 1.1 g/dL. The main indications for transfusion were hemoglobin concentration (49%) and active bleeding (32%). The median number of units transfused per episode was 2 (1-2) and the median storage time was 14 (7-21) days. The number of patients transfused with hemoglobin levels greater than 7 g/dL and the number of bags transfused per episode were significantly different among intensive care units. Patients who received three or more transfusions had longer mechanical ventilation time and intensive care unit stay and higher mortality after 60 days. There was an association of mortality with disease severity but not with transfusional characteristics. Conclusions: the practice of blood products transfusion was partially in agreement with the guidelines recommended, although there are differences in behavior between the different profiles of intensive care units. Transfused patients evolved with unfavorable outcomes. Despite the scarcity of blood in blood banks, the mean storage time of the bags was high. .

Justificativa e objetivos: Anemia é um achado clínico frequente nas UTIs. A transfusão de hemácias é a principal forma de tratamento, apesar dos riscos a ela associados. Dessa forma, propusemos avaliar o perfil transfusional dos pacientes em diferentes UTIs. Métodos: Análise prospectiva dos pacientes internados nas UTIs de um hospital universitário terciário com indicação de transfusão de concentrado de hemácias. Foram coletados características demográficas e o perfil transfusional, foi feita análise univariada e foram considerados significativos resultados com p = 0,05. Resultados: Foram analisadas 408 transfusões em 71 pacientes. A concentração média de hemoglobina na internação foi 9,7 ± 2,3 g/dL e a concentração pré-transfusional 6,9 ± 1,1 g/dL. As principais indicações de transfusão foram a concentração de hemoglobina (49%) e o sangramento ativo (32%). O número mediano de unidades transfundidas por episódio foi 2 (1-2) e a mediana do tempo de estocagem foi 14 (7-21) dias. O número de pacientes transfundidos com hemoglobina acima de 7 g/dL e o número de bolsas transfundidas por episódio foram significativamente diferentes entre as UTIs. Pacientes que receberam três ou mais transfusões tiveram maior tempo de ventilação mecânica e de permanência na UTI e maior mortalidade em 60 dias. Houve associação da mortalidade com gravidade da doença, mas não com as características transfusionais. Conclusões: A prática transfusional de hemocomponentes esteve parcialmente de acordo com as diretrizes preconizadas, embora haja diferença de conduta entre os diferentes perfis de UTIs. Pacientes transfundidos evoluíram com desfechos desfavoráveis. Apesar da escassez de sangue ...

Justificación y objetivos: la anemia es un hallazgo clínico común en las UCI. La transfusión de hematíes es la principal forma de tratamiento, a pesar de los riesgos que están asociados a ella. Así, nos propusimos evaluar el perfil transfusional de los pacientes en diferentes UCI. Métodos: análisis prospectivo de los pacientes ingresados en las UCI de un hospital universitario terciario con indicación de transfusión de concentrado de hematíes. Se recolectaron características demográficas y el perfil transfusional, haciéndose el análisis univariado considerando como significativos los resultados con p = 0,05. Resultados: se analizaron 408 transfusiones en 71 pacientes. La concentración promedio de hemoglobina en el ingreso fue de 9,7 ± 2,3 g/dL y la concentración pretransfusional de 6,9 ± 1,1 g/dL. Las principales indicaciones de transfusión fueron la concentración de hemoglobina (49%) y el sangrado activo (32%). El número intermedio de unidades transfundidas por episodio fue 2 (1-2) y la mediana del tiempo de almacenaje fue de 14 (7-21) días. El número de pacientes transfundidos con hemoglobina por encima de 7 g/dL y el número de bolsas transfundidas por episodio fueron significativamente diferentes entre las UCI. Los pacientes que recibieron 3 o más transfusiones tuvieron más tiempo de ventilación mecánica y de permanencia en la UCI y una mayor mortalidad en 60 días. Hubo una asociación de la mortalidad con la gravedad de la enfermedad, pero no así con las características transfusionales. Conclusiones: la práctica transfusional de hemocomponentes estuvo parcialmente a tono con las directrices preconizadas, aunque exista una diferencia de conducta entre los diferentes perfiles de UCI. Pacientes transfundidos evolucionaron con resultados desfavorables. ...

Recomendações brasileiras de ventilação mecânica 2013. Parte I / Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part I

O suporte ventilatório artificial invasivo e não invasivo ao paciente crítico tem evoluído e inúmeras evidências têm surgido, podendo ter impacto na melhora da sobrevida e da qualidade do atendimento oferecido nas unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil. Isto posto, a Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira (AMIB) e a Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumonia e Tisiologia (SBPT) - representadas pelo seus Comitê de Ventilação Mecânica e Comissão de Terapia Intensiva, respectivamente, decidiram revisar a literatura e preparar recomendações sobre ventilação mecânica objetivando oferecer aos associados um documento orientador das melhores práticas da ventilação mecânica na beira do leito, baseado nas evidencias existentes, sobre os 29 subtemas selecionados como mais relevantes no assunto. O projeto envolveu etapas visando distribuir os subtemas relevantes ao assunto entre experts indicados por ambas as sociedades que tivessem publicações recentes no assunto e/ou atividades relevantes em ensino e pesquisa no Brasil na área de ventilação mecânica. Esses profissionais, divididos por subtemas em duplas, responsabilizaram-se por fazer revisão extensa da literatura mundial sobre cada subtema. Reuniram-se todos no Forum de Ventilação Mecânica na sede da AMIB em São Paulo, em 03 e 04 de agosto de 2013 para finalização conjunta do texto de cada subtema e apresentação, apreciação, discussão e aprovação em plenária pelos 58 participantes, permitindo a elaboração de um documento final.

Perspectives on invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support for critically ill patients are evolving, as much evidence indicates that ventilation may have positive effects on patient survival and the quality of the care provided in intensive care units in Brazil. For those reasons, the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB) and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumonia e Tisiologia - SBPT), represented by the Mechanical Ventilation Committee and the Commission of Intensive Therapy, respectively, decided to review the literature and draft recommendations for mechanical ventilation with the goal of creating a document for bedside guidance as to the best practices on mechanical ventilation available to their members. The document was based on the available evidence regarding 29 subtopics selected as the most relevant for the subject of interest. The project was developed in several stages, during which the selected topics were distributed among experts recommended by both societies with recent publications on the subject of interest and/or significant teaching and research activity in the field of mechanical ventilation in Brazil. The experts were divided into pairs that were charged with performing a thorough review of the international literature on each topic. All the experts met at the Forum on Mechanical Ventilation, which was held at the headquarters of AMIB in São Paulo on August 3 and 4, 2013, to collaboratively draft the final text corresponding to each sub-topic, which was presented to, appraised, discussed and approved in a plenary session that included all 58 participants and aimed to create the final document.

Nurse to bed ratio and nutrition support in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate nutrition support is common among critically ill patients, and identification of risk factors for such inadequacy might help in improving nutrition support. OBJECTIVE: To determine how often daily calorie goals are met and the factors responsible for inadequate nutrition support. Methods A single-center prospective cohort study. Each patient's demographic and clinical characteristics, the need for ventilatory support, the use and dosage of medications, the number of nursing staff per bed, the time elapsed from admission to the intensive care unit until the effective start of enteral feeding, and the causes for nonadministration were recorded. Achievement of daily calorie goals was determined and correlated with risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 262 daily evaluations were done in 40 patients. Daily calorie goal was achieved in only 46.2% of the evaluations (n = 121), with a mean of 74.8% of the prescribed volume of enteral nutrition infused daily. Risk factors for inadequate nutrition support were the use of midazolam (odds ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.18-2.11) and fewer nursing professionals per bed (odds ratio, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.43-4.57). Conclusion Achievement of daily calorie goals was inadequate, and the main factors associated with this failure were the use and dosage of midazolam and the number of nurses available.