[Rare syndromes in intensive care medicine : Presentation of two cases]. / Seltene Syndrome auf der Intensivstation : Vorstellung zweier Fälle.

This article presents two cases of young women with spontaneous life-threatening bleeding events. Both had a history of gastrointestinal rupture or arterial dissection. Based on their medical history and genetic testing, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) IV (vascular type) was diagnosed. In this very rare disorder which accounts for only 5 % of all EDS cases, fibroblasts synthesize reduced and abnormal procollagen type III. This is caused by mutations in the COL3A1 gene coding for type III procollagen. Life expectancy in these patients is significantly reduced. In many cases spontaneous arterial ruptures or dissections and organ ruptures are the first manifestations of this disease. More than 80 % of patients with EDS IV suffer from a severe complication before 40 years of age. Treatment options are very limited. Most important is to avoid invasive procedures (open surgery as well as endovascular interventions) because of its high morbidity and mortality. Celiprolol, a cardioselective ß­blocker, seems to have a beneficial effect by reducing the incidence of vascular complications.

Percutaneous interventions in radiation-associated coronary in-stent restenosis.

This study was performed to evaluate the outcome of percutaneous revascularization in "edge restenoses" developing after radioactive stent implantation in de novo and in-stent lesions. Twenty-one consecutive patients undergoing target lesion revascularization (TLR) at any follow-up after phosphorus-32 radioactive stent implantation were included in this study. We assessed the incidence of death, myocardial infarction, repeated TLR and recurrent angina over the following 18 months. After 6 months, TLR rate was 28.6%, and no stent thromboses, deaths or Q-wave myocardial infarctions occurred. Among the patients with TLR there were significantly more subjects who had received a radioactive stent in a previous in-stent restenosis (66.7% vs. 0% in patients without second restenosis; P <0.001), or who had received two radioactive stents (83.3% vs. 33.3%; P = 0.038). After 18 months, TLR rate was 33.3%, and two patients (9.5%) had died. Restenosis after intravascular radiotherapy can be safely treated by percutaneous interventional techniques, yielding an acceptable clinical result within 18 months.

Combined use of retrograde myocardial and distal coronary protection for last vessel intervention in an aortocoronary vein graft.

Feasibility, safety, and clinical efficacy of the combined application of the PercuSurge system and the Myoprotect SSR device was demonstrated in a patient with high-risk anatomy undergoing saphenous vein graft intervention. This combined approach of coronary and myocardial protection may be considered in high-risk aortocoronary vein graft interventions.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and outcome after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: Patients after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation have been shown to exhibit elevated plasma concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) type 1, the main circulating antifibrinolytic protein. It has been suggested that elevations in PAI-1 contribute to cerebral no-reflow after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We analyzed whether PAI-1 concentrations might predict cerebral outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled study. SETTING: Intensive care unit at a university hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-five patients after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation and 35 control patients who were not critically ill. INTERVENTIONS: Blood sampling for determination of plasma concentrations of active and total PAI-1 antigen. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of total and active PAI-1 antigen on the second day after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation were significantly higher in patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation than in controls (p <.0001) and were unrelated to duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Both active and total PAI-1 antigen were higher in patients who developed acute renal failure after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Patients with an unfavorable cerebral outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation had higher total PAI-1 antigen concentrations compared with patients with good outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p =.026). We identified 180 ng/mL as the best cutoff value for total PAI-1 antigen with respect to cerebral outcome (chi-square 11.8, p =.001). In a logistic regression analysis, only systemic inflammatory response syndrome (p =.028), acute renal failure after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p =.017), and cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration >15 mins (p =.042) were significantly and independently associated with cerebral outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Total PAI-1 antigen reached only borderline significance (p =.058) but nevertheless slightly improved the correct prediction of cerebral outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: Acute renal failure after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration are better predictors of cerebral outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation than PAI-1 antigen, but determination of total PAI-1 antigen nevertheless might improve the early prediction of cerebral outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Whether elevated PAI-1 concentrations, possibly via prothrombogenic/antifibrinolytic effects, contribute causally to cerebral no-reflow and acute renal failure after cardiopulmonary resuscitation remains to be clarified.

Amiodarone versus diltiazem for rate control in critically ill patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rate-lowering effect of diltiazem and two amiodarone regimens in critically ill patients with recent-onset atrial tachyarrhythmias. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Medical cardiologic intensive care unit in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty critically ill patients (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE] III score 70 +/- 30, age 67 +/- 10 yrs). INTERVENTIONS: Patients with atrial fibrillation (n = 57), atrial flutter (n = 2), or atrial tachycardia (n = 1, and a heart rate consistently >120 beats/min over 30 mins were randomly assigned to one of three intravenous treatment regimens. Group 1 received diltiazem in a 25-mg bolus followed by a continuous infusion of 20 mg/hr for 24 hrs, group 2 received amiodarone in a 300-mg bolus, and group 3 received amiodarone in a 300-mg bolus followed by 45 mg/hr for 24 hrs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary study end point was a >30% rate reduction within 4 hrs. The secondary study end point was a heart rate <120 beats/min (a patient was considered to have uncontrolled tachycardia if heart rate was >120 beats/min 4 hrs after study drug). The primary study end point was achieved in 14/20 (70%), 11/20 (55%), and 15/20 (75%) of patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (chi2 = 1.95, p =.38). Uncontrolled tachycardia was more frequently observed in group 2 (0/20, 9/29 [55%], and 1/20 [5%] of patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively; chi2 = 17, p =.00016). In patients achieving tachycardia control, diltiazem showed a significantly better rate reduction (p =.0001 group 1 vs. group 3, p =.0001 over time; p =.0001 group 1 vs. group 2, p =.001 over time) when compared with the amiodarone groups. Premature drug discontinuation due to hypotension was required significantly more often in group 1 (6/20 [30%], 0/20, and 1/20 [5%] for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively; chi2 = 10, p =.01). CONCLUSION: Sufficient rate control can be achieved in critically ill patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias using either diltiazem or amiodarone. Although diltiazem allowed for significantly better 24-hr heart rate control, this effect was offset by a significantly higher incidence of hypotension requiring discontinuation of the drug. Amiodarone may be an alternative in patients with severe hemodynamic compromise.

Soluble selectins in the pulmonary and systemic circulation in acute cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic pulmonary failure.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary endothelial activation caused by high pulmonary capillary pressures may be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE). We studied soluble selectins and soluble ICAM-1 as markers of cell activation in the systemic and pulmonary circulation of patients with respiratory failure (RF) due to CPE (RFCPE) as compared to patients with RF due to pulmonary infection (RFPI). SETTING: Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at a university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty patients with RFCPE, 20 patients with RFPI and 17 critically ill patients without RF. INTERVENTIONS: Blood samples were obtained from the arterial and the pulmonary capillary circulation and sE-, sL-, and sP-selectin as well as sICAM-1 were determined. To distinguish between systemic and pulmonary endothelial activation, transpulmonary gradients (concentrationarterial blood - concentrationpulmonary capillary blood) were calculated. RESULTS: Systemic concentration of sL-selectin was lower in patients with RFCPE and RFPI than in patients without RF (RFCPE: 719.0 +/- 243.9 ng/ml, RFPI: 528.5 +/- 220.8 ng/ml, no RF: 882.4 +/- 222.6 ng/ml; P < 0.001). Systemic concentrations of ICAM-1, sE- and sP-selectin were not significantly different between the three groups. Transpulmonary gradients in sE- and sL-selectin were predominantly negative in patients with RFCPE (-3.2 +/- 7.8 ng/ml and -55.4 +/- 116.1 ng/ml, respectively) and RFPI (-2.3 +/- 5.8 ng/ml and -17.6 +/- 40.3 ng/ml, respectively) but were predominantly positive in patients without RF (11.6 +/- 7.2 ng/ml and 66.6 +/- 69.6 ng/ml, respectively), which suggests trapping of sE- and sL-selectin in the pulmonary circulation in the majority of patients with RFPI as well as in the majority of patients with RFCPE. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary endothelial activation occurs during both RFCPE and RFPI. This adds evidence that, besides hydrostatic mechanisms, cell activation occurs during CPE.

Impaired target site penetration of beta-lactams may account for therapeutic failure in patients with septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: Current guidelines for adjusting antimicrobial therapy regimens commonly are based on drug concentrations measured in plasma. In septic patients, however, the interstitial space of soft tissues in addition to the central compartment represents the target site of infection. We thus hypothesized that one explanation for therapeutic failure during antibiotic treatment might be the inability to achieve effective antimicrobial concentrations in the interstitial space fluid of soft tissues. This is corroborated by the fact that piperacillin, a frequently administered beta-lactam antibiotic, often fails to be effective despite documented susceptibility of the causative pathogen in vitro. DESIGN: Prospective comparative study of two groups. SETTING: The intensive care unit and research ward of an university hospital. SUBJECTS: Six patients with septic shock and a control group of six gender- and age-matched healthy volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: To measure piperacillin penetration into the interstitial space fluid of skeletal muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue, we employed microdialysis after a single intravenous administration of 4.0 g of piperacillin to patients and healthy volunteers. Piperacillin concentrations were assayed by using reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In septic shock patients, interstitial piperacillin concentrations in skeletal muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue were five- to ten-fold lower than corresponding free plasma concentrations (p <.03). Mean piperacillin concentrations in subcutaneous adipose tissue never exceeded 11 microg/mL, which is below the minimal inhibitory concentration for a range of relevant pathogens in patients with septic shock. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study demonstrate that in septic shock patients, piperacillin concentrations in the interstitial space may be subinhibitory, even though effective concentrations are attained in plasma. The lack of success of antimicrobial therapy in these patients thus might be attributable to inadequate target site penetration of antibiotics.

Successful emergency percutaneous cardiopulmonary support during coronary intervention in an 80-year old patient.

In an 80-year old patient with acute coronary syndrome emergency institution of stand-by percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS; Bio-Medicus; Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis MN) for hemodynamic collapse in the cardiac catheterization laboratory resulted in successful hemodynamic stabilization and enabled safe performance of a complex coronary intervention. Weaning from PCPS was effectuated after 4 hours total extracorporal circulation time. Despite development of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome and prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation the patient could be discharged from the intensive care unit after 14 days and eventually from hospital another 28 days later with favorable outcome. Although an increased complication rate with prolonged rehabilitation has to be taken into account percutaneous cardiopulmonary support may constitute a live-saving option even in selected elderly patients.

Effects of milrinone on pulmonary gas exchange in catecholamine-dependent heart failure.

Hemodynamic benefits of milrinone administration are accompanied by adverse effects on arterial oxygenation in mechanically ventilated patients with end-stage heart failure. Particular attention should be focused on pulmonary gas exchange variables after initiation of milrinone treatment in the critically ill patient.

Limitations of the transpulmonary indicator dilution method for assessment of preload changes in critically ill patients with reduced left ventricular function.

OBJECTIVE: We examined whether intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV) and total end-diastolic volume (TEDV), determined by the transpulmonary indicator dilution technique, adequately reflect preload changes during fluid administration in patients with reduced left ventricular function. DESIGN: A prospective, controlled, clinical study. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit in a university hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 18 sedated, mechanically ventilated, and moderately hypovolemic intensive care unit patients, eight with reduced left ventricular function (ejection fraction area, 24.9+/-8.0%, group A), ten with normal left ventricular function (ejection fraction area, 57.6+/-13.0%, group B). INTERVENTIONS: Continuous crystalloid infusion over 120 mins at a constant rate of 8 mL/kg/30 mins. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Stroke volume index, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), TEDV, and ITBV were determined simultaneously at baseline and serially every 30 mins during continuous crystalloid infusion. A similar series of measurements was obtained during control conditions. Performance of various variables during fluid administration was assessed by time correlation analysis. Sensitivity for various variables defined as the ability to detect increasing amounts of administered fluid in individual patients was calculated. All examined variables increased during fluid administration and were unaffected during the control period. Mean time correlation (r2) was significantly higher for pressure monitoring (central venous pressure, r2 = 0.8281; PAOP, r2 = 0.5476) than for volume variables (TEDV, r2 = 0.0256; ITBV, r2 = 0.0729) in group A and was high for all variables in group B (central venous pressure, r2 = 0.7056; PAOP, r2 = 0.6241; TEDV, r2 = 0.49; ITBV, r2 = 0.4225). Sensitivities for central venous pressure, PAOP, TEDV, and ITBV after 120 min were 63%, 75%, 25%, and 25% in group A and 90%, 100%, 60%, and 60% in group B, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates limitations of the transpulmonary indicator dilution technique for monitoring of intravascular volume in patients with reduced left ventricular function.

Soluble selectins and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: Elevated cytokine levels have been reported after ischemia/reperfusion injury and might cause a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is unknown whether patients with SIRS after CPR exhibit higher levels of soluble adhesion molecules than patients without SIRS and whether SIRS or elevation of adhesion molecules is associated with outcome after CPR. We analyzed the relationships among various CPR-related variables, plasma levels of E- and P-selectin, the occurrence of SIRS after CPR, and the development of sepsis and outcome. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled study. SETTING: Intensive care unit at a university hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 25 patients on the second day after successful CPR and 7 non-critically ill control patients. INTERVENTIONS: Blood sampling for determination of plasma levels of soluble (s) E- and P-selectin. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: SIRS was a frequent finding after CPR (66% of all patients) unrelated to time until return of spontaneous circulation (SIRS, 17+/-13 mins; no SIRS, 19+/-16 mins; p = .761), epinephrine dose (SIRS, 4+/-5 mg; no SIRS, 5+/-6 mg; p = .906), or serum lactate level after CPR (SIRS, 8.6+/-2.6 mmol/L; no SIRS, 8.7+/-4.0 mmol/L; p = .174). sP-selectin levels were higher in patients with SIRS (291.7+/-227.4 ng/mL) compared with patients without SIRS (113.4+/-88.4 ng/mL; p = .018) or with non-critically ill patients (116.9+/-33.4 ng/mL; p = .031). Compared with non-critically ill control patients (42.8+/-19.4 ng/mL), sE-selectin levels were higher in patients with (96.2+/-47.3 ng/mL; p = .023) and without SIRS (99.5+/-65.7 ng/mL; p = .030). sP-selectin was higher in patients developing sepsis within 1 wk after CPR (n = 9) than in patients without sepsis (350.2+/-233.4 ng/mL vs. 158.5+/-157.8 ng/mL; p = .022) and sE-selectin levels were higher in nonsurvivors (n = 5) than in survivors (144.2+/-62.4 ng/mL vs. 85.7+/-45.3 ng/mL; p = .025) whereas SIRS was unrelated to the development of sepsis (p = .4) and unrelated to survival (p = .4). CONCLUSIONS: SIRS is an unspecific finding after CPR with only minor impact on outcome. Determination of sP- and sE-selectin early after CPR might help to identify patients at a high risk for sepsis or for an adverse outcome, respectively.

Simultaneous comparison of thoracic bioimpedance and arterial pulse waveform-derived cardiac output with thermodilution measurement.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy and reliability of thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) and the arterial pulse waveform analysis with simultaneous measurement of thermodilution cardiac output (TD-CO) in critically ill patients. DESIGN: Prospective data collection. SETTING: Emergency department and critical care unit in a 2,000-bed inner-city hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 29 critically ill patients requiring invasive hemodynamic monitoring for clinical management were prospectively studied. INTERVENTIONS: Noninvasive cardiac output was simultaneously measured by a TEB device and by analysis of the arterial pulse waveform derived from the finger artery. Invasive cardiac output was determined by the thermodilution technique. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 175 corresponding TD-CO and noninvasive hemodynamic measurements were collected in 30-min intervals. They revealed an overall bias of 0.34 L/min/m2 (95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.44 L/min/m2; p < .001) for the arterial pulse waveform analysis and of 0.61 L/min/m2 (95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.72 L/min/m2; p < .001) for the TEB. In 39.4% (n = 69) of all measurements, the discrepancy between arterial pulse waveform analysis and TD-CO was >0.50 L/min/m2. The discrepancies of the arterial pulse waveform analysis correlated positively with the magnitude of the cardiac index (r2 = 0.29; p < .001). In 56.6% (n = 99) of all measurements, the discrepancy between TEB and TD-CO was >0.50 L/min/m2. The magnitude of the discrepancies of the TEB was significantly correlated with age (r2 = 0.17; p = .02). Measurements were in phase in 93.2% of all arterial pulse waveform analysis and in 84.9% of all TEB readings (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The arterial pulse waveform analysis exhibits a greater accuracy and reliability as compared with the TEB with regard to overall bias, number of inaccurate readings, and phase lags. The arterial pulse waveform analysis may be useful for the monitoring of hemodynamic changes. However, both methods fail to be a substitute for the TD-CO because of a substantial percentage of inaccurate readings.

Elevation of prostate-specific markers after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND-Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), acid phosphatase (AP), and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) are serum markers for adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland. Previous studies indicated that prostatic ischemia may also produce elevations of PSA. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is frequently associated with profound tissue hypoperfusion. The present study investigated whether PSA, AP, and PAP are influenced by prolonged CPR. METHODS AND RESULTS-PSA, AP, and PAP were assessed immediately, 12 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days after prolonged CPR (>5 minutes) in 14 male and 5 female patients. No changes were noted in women. In men, serum levels increased significantly after CPR and gradually decreased to near baseline values after 7 days. PSA, AP, and PAP values above the normal range were observed in 63%, 71%, and 64% of all patients, respectively. Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors exhibited higher peak serum levels of PSA (98.6+/-14.3 versus 1.1+/-2.2 mcg/L; P<0.03), AP (57.0+/-71 versus 8.6+/-8.8 U/L; P<0.05), and PAP (47.0+/-62 versus 5.7+/-8.0 U/L; P=NS). Patients with poor neurological outcome exhibited higher peak serum levels of PSA (86.4+/-135.5 versus 12.0+/-23.8 mcg/L; P<0.05), AP (50.9+/-68.1 versus 8.7+/-9.6 U/L; P=NS), and PAP (41.6+/-59.5 versus 5.8+/-8.8 U/L; P=NS) than patients with good neurological outcome. CONCLUSIONS-Prolonged CPR is frequently associated with increases of PSA, AP, and PAP serum levels. Therefore, PSA cannot be used for diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the prostate during the first weeks after CPR. Further evaluation of these parameters as additional prognostic markers after CPR is warranted.

Transient swallow syncope during periods of hypoxia in a 67-year-old patient after self-extubation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the case of an adult patient with swallow syncope after bypass surgery, possibly related to hypoxia. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University hospital, medical-cardiologic intensive care unit. PATIENT: A 67-yr-old patient after second aortocoronary bypass operation for unstable angina. MAIN RESULTS: After the patient managed to extubate himself, he was in a borderline respiratory condition with an oxygen mask. When drinking for the first time after extubation, asystole was observed coincidentally with interruption of oxygen insufflation. During the next days, similar events occurred during food ingestion or when drinking liquids after a fall of oxygen saturation. The bradyarrhythmia was readily reversible on administration of atropine and ventricular backup pacing via temporary pacing wires. After normalization of gas exchange, no more episodes of swallowing-associated asystole were observed and the patient was discharged without a permanent pacemaker. There was no esophageal or gastrointestinal disease. Pre- and postoperative PR and QRS durations were normal. CONCLUSION: Extrinsic and transient mechanisms, rather than intrinsic conduction system disease, seem to have been operative in this case. It is suggested that hypoxia reinforced the vagal pharyngocardiac reflex as described in pediatric patients.

Pharmacokinetics of cefpirome during continuous venovenous hemofiltration: rationale for an 8-hour dosing interval.

OBJECTIVE: Cefpirome is a new semisynthetic cephalosporin, primarily eliminated by the kidneys, that requires dosage adjustment in patients with kidney failure. The optimal dosing regimen of cefpirome in patients with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) is unknown. METHODS: Pharmacokinetic properties of cefpirome were investigated in eight anuric patients with acute kidney failure treated by CVVH. All patients received a dosage of 2 g cefpirome every 8 hours after starting the hemofiltration with high-flux polysulfone membranes. Concentrations of cefpirome in plasma and ultrafiltrate were measured by HPLC. RESULTS: Total clearance and hemofiltration clearance of cefpirome were 589.1 +/- 164.5 mL/min and 43.3 +/- 7.8 mL/min, respectively. Serum elimination half-life was 2.36 +/- 0.59 hours. The highest plasma drug concentration was 14.8 +/- 3.2 microg/mL, and it declined to trough levels of 3.1 +/- 0.8 microg/mL at the end of the dosing interval. CONCLUSION: On the basis of previously published pharmacodynamic characteristics of cefpirome and the pharmacokinetic parameters obtained in this study, we calculated a required total daily dose of 2 g every 8 hours to achieve sufficient plasma antibiotic levels to cover the majority of target pathogens. However, this dosage may be insufficient during CVVH for intermediate resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Milrinone therapy in catecholamine-dependent critically ill patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with the PDE-III inhibitor milrinone improves hemodynamics in patients with heart failure. We examined whether therapy with milrinone is safe and effective in critically ill patients with catecholamine-dependent heart failure and whether treatment with milrinone facilitates weaning from prolonged catecholamine therapy. METHODS: Twenty adult patients with reduced left ventricular function and prolonged (7+/-4 days) catecholamine therapy in whom attempts at catecholamine weaning had failed were examined. Patients were prospectively randomised either to group A (addition of a fixed dose of 0.5 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) milrinone to catecholamine therapy) or to group B (continued catecholamine therapy without milrinone). Dobutamine and norepinephrine treatment and fluid intake were titrated according to predefined hemodynamic goals. Hemodynamic parameters, fluid requirements and catecholamine dose were monitored. RESULTS: After 24 h of study treatment goup A showed a significant increase in cardiac index (2.2+/-0.4 1 min(-1) x m(-2) to 2.7+/-0.51 min(-1) x m(-2); P<0.005), a decrease in systemic vascular resistance (1,427+/-609 dyn x s x cm(-5) to 951+/-184 dyn x s x cm(-5); P<0.005), required lower doses of dobutamine (5.9+/-4.2 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) to 2.2+/-3.3 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1); P<0.02), but showed a tendency for higher vasoconstrictor (0.14+/-0.16 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) to 0.29+/-0.43 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1); P=n.s.) and fluid requirements (+1,404+/-2,257 ml/24 h to +2,508+/-1,873 ml/ 24 h; P=n.s.). No significant changes occurred in group B. Weaning from catecholamine therapy was more often achieved in group A and more milrinone treated patients were discharged alive from the ICU (80% vs. 30%; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Milrinone improves central hemodynamics and may facilitate weaning from prolonged catecholamine support in critically ill patients with heart failure. Its administration in this subset of critically ill patients is safe, but eventually is associated with additional vasoconstrictor and fluid requirements.

Mild resuscitative hypothermia to improve neurological outcome after cardiac arrest. A clinical feasibility trial. Hypothermia After Cardiac Arrest (HACA) Study Group.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent animal studies showed that mild resuscitative hypothermia improves neurological outcome when applied after cardiac arrest. In a 3-year randomized, prospective, multicenter clinical trial, we hypothesized that mild resuscitative cerebral hypothermia (32 degrees C to 34 degrees C core temperature) would improve neurological outcome after cardiac arrest. METHODS: We lowered patients' temperature after admission to the emergency department and continued cooling for at least 24 hours after arrest in conjunction with advanced cardiac life support. The cooling technique chosen was external head and total body cooling with a cooling device in conjunction with a blanket and a mattress. Infrared tympanic thermometry was monitored before a central pulmonary artery thermistor probe was inserted. RESULTS: In 27 patients (age 58 [interquartile range [IQR] 52 to 64] years; 7 women; estimated "no-flow" duration 6 [IQR 1 to 11] minutes and "low-flow" duration 15 [IQR 9 to 23] minutes; admitted to the emergency department 36 [IQR 24 to 43] minutes after return of spontaneous circulation), we could initiate cooling within 62 (IQR 41 to 75) minutes and achieve a pulmonary artery temperature of 33+/-1 degrees C 287 (IQR 42 to 401) minutes after cardiac arrest. During 24 hours of mild resuscitative hypothermia, no major complications occurred. Passive rewarming >35 degrees C was accomplished within 7 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Mild resuscitative hypothermia in patients is feasible and safe. A clinical multicenter trial might prove that mild hypothermia is a useful method of cerebral resuscitation after global ischemic states.