Safety of Propofol When Used for Rapid Sequence Intubation in Septic Patients: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Purpose: Septic patients are at risk for hypotension, and this risk may increase during rapid sequence intubation (RSI). Sedatives such as propofol must be used carefully due to its ability to reduce vascular sympathetic tone. Since the safety of propofol for RSI is not well described in sepsis, this was a study evaluating propofol and its effects on hemodynamics when used for RSI in a septic population. Materials and methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study of patients with sepsis or severe sepsis requiring sedation for RSI. Patients receiving a propofol bolus for RSI were compared to patients undergoing RSI without a propofol bolus. The safety profile of propofol was evaluated according to the rates of post-intubation hypotension and vasopressor utilization between groups. Results: A total of 179 patients (79 propofol, 100 non-propofol) were evaluated. There were no differences in hypotension (81% vs 78%; P = .62) or vasopressor utilization between the propofol and non-propofol groups (43% vs 49%; P = .43). Patients in the non-propofol group had increased APACHE II scores and healthcare-associated infections. Conclusions: In this cohort study, administration of propofol for RSI in patients with sepsis and severe sepsis did not increase incidence of hypotension or vasopressor use, but acute illness may have introduced provider selection bias causing less propofol use in the non-propofol group. Larger prospective studies are needed to better characterize the adverse hemodynamic effects of propofol, before propofol bolus doses for RSI can be considered for safe use in this population.

Impact of Admission Hypertension on Rates of Acute Kidney Injury in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Treated with Intensive Blood Pressure Control.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend that rapid systolic blood pressure (SBP) lowering to 140 mmHg may be considered in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients regardless of initial SBP. However, limited safety data exist in patients presenting with varying degrees of severe hypertension. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) based upon degree of presentation hypertension in ICH patients whose blood pressure was reduced intensively. METHODS: This retrospective, cohort study evaluated ICH patients treated with intensive blood pressure control (SBP ≤140 mmHg) who presented with three degrees of presentation hypertension: mild (SBP 141-179 mmHg), moderate (SBP 180-219 mmHg), and severe (SBP ≥ 220 mmHg). Univariate analysis of demographics variables, ICH severity, and factors known to impact AKI was conducted between the three groups. Post hoc testing was used to compare differences between specific groups, with a Bonferroni correction adjusting for multiple comparisons. Additionally, we conducted logistic regression analysis to determine whether baseline SBP group independently predicted AKI. RESULTS: We included 401 patients (177 with mild, 124 with moderate, and 100 with severe hypertension). There was a significant increase in the prevalence of AKI between groups, with the severe group experiencing the highest rate (p < 0.001). The presence of severe hypertension was also found to independently predict AKI development (odds ratio 2.6; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study observed higher rates of AKI in patients presenting with severe hypertension. Further research is needed to determine the most appropriate strategies for managing blood pressure in ICH patients presenting with higher SBP.

Impact of Moderate Hyperchloremia on Clinical Outcomes in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients Treated With Continuous Infusion Hypertonic Saline: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: Hyperchloremia has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. While previous research has demonstrated an association between hypertonic saline and hyperchloremia, limited data exist in neurocritical care patients. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of moderate hyperchloremia (chloride ≥ 115 mmol/L) on clinical outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage patients treated with continuous IV infusion 3% hypertonic saline. DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study. SETTING: Neurocritical care units at two academic medical centers with dedicated neurocritical care teams and comprehensive stroke center designation. PATIENTS: Intracerebral hemorrhage patients discharged between September 2011 and September 2015 were evaluated and matched 1:1 based on propensity scoring. INTERVENTIONS: Continuous IV infusion 3% hypertonic saline. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 219 patients were included in the unmatched cohort (143 moderate hyperchloremia and 76 nonhyperchloremia) and 100 patients in the propensity-matched cohort. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in those who developed moderate hyperchloremia in a propensity-matched cohort (34% vs 14%; p = 0.02). Moderate hyperchloremia independently predicted in-hospital mortality in multivariable logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 4.4 [95% CI, 1.4-13.5]; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We observed higher rates of in-hospital mortality in patients who developed moderate hyperchloremia during treatment with continuous IV infusion 3% hypertonic saline, with moderate hyperchloremia independently predicting in-hospital mortality. These results suggest that chloride values should be monitored closely during hypertonic saline treatment as moderate elevations may impact outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage patients.

Effects of propofol on vasopressor use in patients with sepsis and severe sepsis: A pilot study.

PURPOSE: Propofol is one of the most commonly used sedatives in the intensive care unit (ICU) despite its undesirable hypotensive effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of continuous intravenous (CIV) propofol on vasopressor requirements in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective, propensity-matched pilot study was conducted comparing patients with sepsis or severe sepsis who received CIV propofol for sedation to those who did not. The primary outcome was incidence of vasopressor support. Secondary outcomes included change in mean arterial pressure, mortality, and length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 279 patients (149 CIV propofol, 130 non-CIV propofol) were evaluated, with 174 patients matched 1:1 based on propensity score. There was no difference in vasopressor support requirements (49.4% vs 54%; P= .65) or in those experiencing a greater than 20% decrease in mean arterial pressure from baseline (58.6% vs 63.2%; P= .53) in the CIV propofol and non-CIV propofol groups. Furthermore, there were no differences in any secondary outcomes including hospital mortality (32.2% vs 33.3%; P= .87). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous intravenous propofol for sedation did not increase vasopressor requirements in this septic population. Furthermore, CIV propofol was not associated with significant differences in the use of multiple vasopressors, change in mean arterial pressure, length of stay, or mortality.

3-Factor Versus 4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Warfarin Reversal in Severe Bleeding: A Multicenter, Retrospective, Propensity-Matched Pilot Study.

Current guidelines recommend 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4PCC) for emergent reversal of bleeding secondary to warfarin. While current research has demonstrated superiority of 4PCC over plasma, direct comparisons with 3-factor PCC (3PCC) are lacking. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of 3PCC and 4PCC. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who received PCC at one of four medical centers. All patients in the 3PCC group were treated at one center that utilizes a fixed, weight-based dosing protocol. After evaluation of all patients meeting inclusion criteria, propensity-score matching was used to adjust for differences in treatment characteristics. There was no difference in the primary outcome of INR ≤ 1.4 between 3PCC and 4PCC in both the unmatched (85.7 vs. 90.6 %; p = 0.37) and matched (84.2 vs. 92.1 %; p = 0.48) analyses. There was a significant difference in goal INR achieved favoring 4PCC (56.3 vs 90.0 %; p < 0.02) when baseline INR > 4.0. A total of three thrombotic events were documented, all in the 4PCC group. We found no difference in the rate of INR reversal in those treated with 3PCC and 4PCC. However, those with a baseline INR > 4.0 may experience more successful INR reversal with 4PCC.