Utilización de las terapias de depuración extracorpórea en los Servicios de Medicina Intensiva de Cataluña (España) / Renal replacement therapy in Intensive Care Units in Catalonia (Spain)

OBJETIVOS: Conocer los tipos de terapias de depuración extracorpórea (TDE) utilizadas en los Servicios de Medicina Intensiva (SMI), sus indicaciones y pautas de prescripción. DISEÑO: Estudio multicéntrico observacional y prospectivo. ÁMBITO: Servicios de Medicina Intensiva. PACIENTES: Todos los pacientes ingresados en los SMI que requirieron TDE durante 2 meses en 2011.Intervenciones Ninguna.VARIABLES DE INTERÉS: Características demográficas y basales de los pacientes, características de las TDE y materiales utilizados. RESULTADOS: Se analizó a 33 pacientes. Las TDE se iniciaron en las primeras 24 h de ingreso en un 52% (n = 17). En un 18% (n = 6) de pacientes se inició en el estadio R de disfunción renal aguda (DRA) según el RIFLE. La patología más frecuente asociada a la DRA fue el síndrome de disfunción multiorgánica en un 64% (n = 21). El 24% (n = 8) mantenía estabilidad hemodinámica al inicio de la TDE y el tipo de terapia más utilizada en estos pacientes fueron las terapias continuas de depuración extracorpórea (TCDE) en un 63% (n = 5). El 76% (n = 25) de los pacientes presentaron inestabilidad hemodinámica y en todos la terapia utilizada fue la TCDE. Se utilizó anticoagulación en un 55% (n = 18) de casos y la vía de acceso preferida fue la femoral derecha en un 61% (n = 20). En el 84% (n = 28) de los pacientes se utilizó una dosis pautada de ultrafiltración ≤ 35 ml/kg/h. CONCLUSIONES: Los SMI estudiados siguen las recomendaciones actuales del uso de las TDE. Existe una mayor preferencia de las terapias continuas frente a las intermitentes, indistintamente al estado hemodinámico del paciente

OBJECTIVE: To assess the indications, settings and techniques used in renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter observational study was carried out. SETTING: Intensive Care Units. PATIENTS: All patients admitted to ICUs during the two-month study period in 2011 who required RRT. Interventions None. VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Patient demographic characteristics, baseline clinical data, RRT technique and materials used. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were analyzed. RRT was started within the first 24hours after ICU admission in 17 of the 33 patients (52%). At the start of RRT, 18% of the patients (n = 6) presented grade R on the RIFLE acute kidney injury (AKI) scale. The most common disorder associated with AKI was multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (64%; n = 21). At the start of RRT, most patients (76%; n = 25) presented hemodynamic instability, while the remaining 24% (n = 8) were considered hemodynamically stable. The most common RRT technique in hemodynamically stable patients was continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (63%; n = 5). CRRT was the technique of choice in all 25 of the hemodynamically unstable patients (100%). Anticoagulation was used in 55% (n = 18) of the patients. In most cases (61%, n = 20), RRT was administered through the right femoral vein. In 84% (n = 28) of the patients, the ultrafiltration effluent flow rate was ≤ 35 ml/kg/h. CONCLUSIONS: The ICU physicians in this study followed current RRT guidelines. CRRT was preferred over intermittent renal replacement therapy, regardless of patient hemodynamic status

[Renal replacement therapy in Intensive Care Units in Catalonia (Spain)]. / Utilización de las terapias de depuración extracorpórea en los Servicios de Medicina Intensiva de Cataluña (España).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the indications, settings and techniques used in renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter observational study was carried out. SETTING: Intensive Care Units. PATIENTS: All patients admitted to ICUs during the two-month study period in 2011 who required RRT. INTERVENTIONS: None. VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Patient demographic characteristics, baseline clinical data, RRT technique and materials used. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were analyzed. RRT was started within the first 24hours after ICU admission in 17 of the 33 patients (52%). At the start of RRT, 18% of the patients (n=6) presented grade R on the RIFLE acute kidney injury (AKI) scale. The most common disorder associated with AKI was multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (64%; n=21). At the start of RRT, most patients (76%; n=25) presented hemodynamic instability, while the remaining 24% (n=8) were considered hemodynamically stable. The most common RRT technique in hemodynamically stable patients was continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (63%; n=5). CRRT was the technique of choice in all 25 of the hemodynamically unstable patients (100%). Anticoagulation was used in 55% (n=18) of the patients. In most cases (61%, n=20), RRT was administered through the right femoral vein. In 84% (n=28) of the patients, the ultrafiltration effluent flow rate was ≤ 35ml/kg/h. CONCLUSIONS: The ICU physicians in this study followed current RRT guidelines. CRRT was preferred over intermittent renal replacement therapy, regardless of patient hemodynamic status.

Hygroscopic condenser humidifier as a solution to nasal dryness due to nasal CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

We report an apparent solution to nasal dryness for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) when a hygroscopic condenser humidifier is introduced into the CPAP circuit. Six patients underwent a 5-h test period of nasal CPAP therapy with a mask containing a hygroscopic humidifier. The water vapor showed a statistically significant increase in both inspired and expired gases. The relative humidity of the inspired gases increased significantly. The levels of O2 and CO2 in the respired gases did not change. When patients were asked about nasal dryness at the end of the test, all of them reported marked improvement.