Improving the performance of the Cleveland Clinic Score for predicting acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery: a prospective multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is associated with high short- and long-term mortality rates. The prediction of CSA-AKI is crucial for early detection and treatment. Current predictive models may be improved by potentially useful preoperative and intraoperative information. METHODS: This multicenter prospective cohort study recruited 261 consecutive patients at high risk for developing CSA-AKI, based on a Cleveland Clinical Score (CCS) of ≥4 points from July to December 2017 in 14 hospitals in Spain and the UK. Postoperative AKI occurred in 145 (55.5%) patients. The receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of a base model including only the CCS was compared with models including additional preoperative and intraoperative variables such as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) instead of plasmatic creatinine, intraoperative urine output, baseline hemoglobin, nadir hemoglobin, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) instead of diabetes mellitus. The performance of each model for AKI was compared. RESULTS: The CCS alone gave an AUC of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.56-0.78) for postoperative AKI. None of the single variables added to the base model CCS improve discrimination. The AUC for postoperative AKI was improved when baseline hemoglobin, eGFR instead of plasmatic creatinine, HbA1c, and nadir hemoglobin were added to the CCS (AUC=0.77; 95% CI, 0.67-0.87; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of baseline hemoglobin, eGFR, HbA1c, and nadir intraoperative hemoglobin may be useful for improving the discrimination of the clinical predictive risk scores for AKI.

Efecto de la COVID-19 en la prescripción dietoterapéutica durante el primer semestre de 2020 en la Comunidad de Madrid / Effect of COVID-19 on dietotherapeutic prescription during the first half of 2020 in the Community of Madrid

Objetivos: el objetivo de este estudio es analizar el impacto de la COVID-19 en el primer semestre del año 2020, con respecto a la prescripción de soportes nutricionales enterales, y su gasto en la Comunidad de Madrid. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo y comparativo del consumo de productos de nutrición enteral prescritos en recetas oficiales electrónicas durante el primer semestre de los años 2019 y 2020 en los hospitales públicos de la Comunidad de Madrid. Resultados: al analizar la prescripción del número de envases totales durante el periodo estudiado, por meses, se observa un incremento del 8 % en la prescripción durante el mes de marzo, comparado con los meses previos (p < 0,001), seguido de un descenso del 9 % en los meses de abril y mayo (p < 0,001). El comportamiento de la evolución del gasto sigue el mismo patrón, con un incremento en el mes de marzo (p < 0.001) y un descenso en los meses de abril y mayo de similar magnitud (ambos, p < 0,001). Al analizar por grupos de edades, el grupo de edad de más de 75 años fue el grupo con la mayor caída en las prescripciones (33,1 % mayor que entre los menores de 75) en los meses de abril y mayo de 2020 (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: la COVID-19 afectó de forma importante a la prescripción del soporte nutricional, especialmente en el grupo de mayor edad. El seguimiento de la enfermedad nos permitirá profundizar en el papel de la nutrición a corto y largo plazo. (AU)

Objectives: the aim of the study was to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on enteral nutrition prescription in the Community of Madrid during the first semester of 2020. Material and methods: this is a descriptive study of enteral nutrition prescription in the first semester of 2020 and its comparison with the first semester of 2019. We included all the prescriptions in public hospitals of the Community of Madrid as recorded in public electronic databases. Results: there was an 8 % increase in the number of enteral nutrition prescriptions in March 2020 when compared with the previous months (p < 0.001). Then, in April and May 2020 we observed a 9 % decrease in enteral nutrition prescriptions (p < 0.001). Total costs in enteral nutrition showed a similar pattern, with an increase in March 2020 (p < 0.001) and a decrease in April and May 2020 (p < 0.001). When analyzing the data by patient age, those above 75 y.o. showed the highest decrease in enteral nutrition prescriptions (33.1 % higher than for those under 75 y.o.) in April and May 2020 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: the irruption of COVID-19 had a relevant impact on enteral nutrition prescription, especially among the elderly. Follow-up is needed to assess the long-term consequences of this in nutritional therapy. (AU)

[Effect of COVID-19 on dietotherapeutic prescription during the first half of 2020 in the Community of Madrid]. / Efecto de la COVID-19 en la prescripción dietoterapéutica durante el primer semestre de 2020 en la Comunidad de Madrid.

INTRODUCTION: Objectives: the aim of the study was to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on enteral nutrition prescription in the Community of Madrid during the first semester of 2020. Material and Methods: this is a descriptive study of enteral nutrition prescription in the first semester of 2020 and its comparison with the first semester of 2019. We included all the prescriptions in public hospitals of the Community of Madrid as recorded in public electronic databases. Results: there was an 8 % increase in the number of enteral nutrition prescriptions in March 2020 when compared with the previous months (p < 0.001). Then, in April and May 2020 we observed a 9 % decrease in enteral nutrition prescriptions (p < 0.001). Total costs in enteral nutrition showed a similar pattern, with an increase in March 2020 (p < 0.001) and a decrease in April and May 2020 (p < 0.001). When analyzing the data by patient age, those above 75 y.o. showed the highest decrease in enteral nutrition prescriptions (33.1 % higher than for those under 75 y.o.) in April and May 2020 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: the irruption of COVID-19 had a relevant impact on enteral nutrition prescription, especially among the elderly. Follow-up is needed to assess the long-term consequences of this in nutritional therapy.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Objetivos: el objetivo de este estudio es analizar el impacto de la COVID-19 en el primer semestre del año 2020, con respecto a la prescripción de soportes nutricionales enterales, y su gasto en la Comunidad de Madrid. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo y comparativo del consumo de productos de nutrición enteral prescritos en recetas oficiales electrónicas durante el primer semestre de los años 2019 y 2020 en los hospitales públicos de la Comunidad de Madrid. Resultados: al analizar la prescripción del número de envases totales durante el periodo estudiado, por meses, se observa un incremento del 8 % en la prescripción durante el mes de marzo, comparado con los meses previos (p < 0,001), seguido de un descenso del 9 % en los meses de abril y mayo (p < 0,001). El comportamiento de la evolución del gasto sigue el mismo patrón, con un incremento en el mes de marzo (p < 0.001) y un descenso en los meses de abril y mayo de similar magnitud (ambos, p < 0,001). Al analizar por grupos de edades, el grupo de edad de más de 75 años fue el grupo con la mayor caída en las prescripciones (33,1 % mayor que entre los menores de 75) en los meses de abril y mayo de 2020 (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: la COVID-19 afectó de forma importante a la prescripción del soporte nutricional, especialmente en el grupo de mayor edad. El seguimiento de la enfermedad nos permitirá profundizar en el papel de la nutrición a corto y largo plazo.

Stress Hyperglycemia and Osteocalcin in COVID-19 Critically Ill Patients on Artificial Nutrition.

We aimed to study the possible association of stress hyperglycemia in COVID-19 critically ill patients with prognosis, artificial nutrition, circulating osteocalcin, and other serum markers of inflammation and compare them with non-COVID-19 patients. Fifty-two critical patients at the intensive care unit (ICU), 26 with COVID-19 and 26 non-COVID-19, were included. Glycemic control, delivery of artificial nutrition, serum osteocalcin, total and ICU stays, and mortality were recorded. Patients with COVID-19 had higher ICU stays, were on artificial nutrition for longer (p = 0.004), and needed more frequently insulin infusion therapy (p = 0.022) to control stress hyperglycemia. The need for insulin infusion therapy was associated with higher energy (p = 0.001) and glucose delivered through artificial nutrition (p = 0.040). Those patients with stress hyperglycemia showed higher ICU stays (23 ± 17 vs. 11 ± 13 days, p = 0.007). Serum osteocalcin was a good marker for hyperglycemia, as it inversely correlated with glycemia at admission in the ICU (r = -0.476, p = 0.001) and at days 2 (r = -0.409, p = 0.007) and 3 (r = -0.351, p = 0.049). In conclusion, hyperglycemia in critically ill COVID-19 patients was associated with longer ICU stays. Low circulating osteocalcin was a good marker for stress hyperglycemia.

Serum zinc and copper in people with COVID-19 and zinc supplementation in parenteral nutrition.

OBJECTIVES: Zinc and copper are important to protect cells from oxidative stress and to enhance immunity. An association between low zinc levels and the severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome has been shown for people with COVID-19. We aimed to study serum zinc and copper concentrations in people with severe COVID-19 and zinc supplementation in parenteral nutrition (PN). METHODS: Thirty-five people with COVID-19 in need of PN were studied in a retrospective design. Serum samples were collected at three time points: at the start of PN, between 3 and 7 d after, and at the end of PN. RESULTS: Participants were on PN for a mean of 14 d, with a mean (± SD) daily supplemental zinc of 14.8 ± 3.7 mg/d. Serum zinc increased during PN administration from 98.8 ± 22.8 to 114.1 ± 23.3 µg/dL (Wilks' λ = 0.751, F = 5.459, P = 0.009). Conversely, serum copper did not vary from baseline (107.9 ± 34.2 µg/dL) to the end of the study (104.5 ± 37.4 µg/dL, Wilks' λ = 0.919, F = 1.453, P = 0.248). Serum zinc within the first week after starting PN and at the end of PN inversely correlated with total hospital stay (r = -0.413, P = 0.014, and r = -0.386, P = 0.022, respectively). Participants in critical condition presented lower serum copper (z = 2.615, P = 0.007). Mortality was not associated with supplemental zinc or with serum zinc or copper concentrations at any time of the study (P > 0.1 for all analyses). CONCLUSIONS: Serum zinc concentrations during PN support were inversely associated with length of hospital stay but not with mortality. Serum copper concentrations were lower in participants in critical condition but not associated with prognosis.

Hydroxyethyl starch and acute kidney injury in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions increase the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) for medical indications. We conducted a cohort study to evaluate the renal safety of modern 6% HES solutions in high-risk patients having cardiac surgery. METHOD: In this multicentre prospective cohort study, we recruited 261 consecutive patients at high-risk for developing cardiac surgery-associated AKI, based on a Cleveland score ≥ 4 points, from July to December 2017th in 14 hospitals in Spain and the United Kingdom. Multivariable logistic regression modeling and propensity-score matched-pairs analysis were used to determine the adjusted association between administration of HES and AKI. RESULTS: Of the cohort, 95 patients (36.4%) received 6% HES 130/0.4 either intraoperatively or postoperatively. Postoperative AKI occurred in 145 patients (55.5%). The unadjusted odds of AKI was significantly higher in the HES group, when compared to those not receiving HES (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.30-3.80, p = 0.003). In multivariable logistic regression models, modern HES was not associated with significantly increased risk of AKI (adjusted OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.41-1.71, p = 0.63). In propensity score match-pairs analysis of 188 patients, the HES group experienced similar adjusted odds of AKI (OR 1.05, CI 95% 0.87-1.27, p = 0.57) and RRT (OR 1.06, CI 95% 0.92-1.22, p = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: The use of modern hydroxyethyl starch 6% HES 130/0.4 was not associated with an increased risk of AKI nor dialysis in this cohort of patients at elevated risk for developing AKI after cardiac surgery.

A Pilot Study Identifying a Set of microRNAs As Precise Diagnostic Biomarkers of Acute Kidney Injury.

In the last decade, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) diagnosis and therapy have not notably improved probably due to delay in the diagnosis, among other issues. Precocity and accuracy should be critical parameters in novel AKI biomarker discovery. microRNAs are key regulators of cell responses to many stimuli and they can be secreted to the extracellular environment. Therefore, they can be detected in body fluids and are emerging as novel disease biomarkers. We aimed to identify and validate serum miRNAs useful for AKI diagnosis and management. Using qRT-PCR arrays in serum samples, we determined miRNAs differentially expressed between AKI patients and healthy controls. Statistical and target prediction analysis allowed us to identify a panel of 10 serum miRNAs. This set was further validated, by qRT-PCR, in two independent cohorts of patients with relevant morbi-mortality related to AKI: Intensive Care Units (ICU) and Cardiac Surgery (CS). Statistical correlations with patient clinical parameter were performed. Our results demonstrated that the 10 selected miRNAs (miR-101-3p, miR-127-3p, miR-210-3p, miR-126-3p, miR-26b-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-27a-3p, miR-93-3p and miR-10a-5p) were diagnostic biomarkers of AKI in ICU patients, exhibiting areas under the curve close to 1 in ROC analysis. Outstandingly, serum miRNAs estimated before CS predicted AKI development later on, thus becoming biomarkers to predict AKI predisposition. Moreover, after surgery, the expression of the miRNAs was modulated days before serum creatinine increased, demonstrating early diagnostic value. In summary, we have identified a set of serum miRNAs as AKI biomarkers useful in clinical practice, since they demonstrate early detection and high diagnostic value and they recognize patients at risk.

Phase IV prospective clinical study to evaluate the effect of taurine on liver function in postsurgical adult patients requiring parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Taurine's role in bile acid metabolism and anti-inflammatory activity could exert a protective effect on hepatobiliary complications associated with parenteral nutrition (PN). In this study, the effects of 2 amino acid solutions, with and without taurine, on liver function administered to nonacutely ill postsurgical patients as part of a short-term PN regimen were prospectively compared. METHODS: Adult patients randomly received (double-blind) Tauramin 10% or a standard PN solution without taurine as the control (1.5 g amino acid/kg body weight [bw]/d; infusion rate of ≤4 mg glucose/kg bw/d) for a period of 5-30 days. γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and other indicators of liver function, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, inflammation markers, and treatment safety data were collected. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients receiving taurine PN and 39 receiving control PN were enrolled (intention-to-treat [ITT] population). Most patients (n = 62) discontinued after day 7 of follow-up (per-protocol [PP] population: n = 24 and n = 27, respectively). ITT patients with high GGT values after 5 days of PN comprised 68.6% and 64.1%, respectively. The mean change in GGT values with respect to the baseline values was 167 ± 192 and 157 ± 185 IU/L, respectively. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels after 7 days of PN were significantly decreased in the taurine PN group of PP patients (-2.83 ± 30.9 vs 23.9 ± 27.0 mg/dL for control PN; P < .05). None of the adverse events reported (taurine PN: n = 6; control PN: n = 7) were treatment related. CONCLUSION: PN solutions with and without taurine had similar effects on liver function parameters, except for an LDL reduction in PN with taurine, when administered to nonacutely ill postsurgical patients in the short term (5-7 days).

Analysis of renal function in the immediate postoperative period after partial liver transplantation.

Although renal dysfunction is common after liver transplantation, postoperative renal function after split liver transplantation (SLT) has not been well studied. Renal function immediately after surgery was analyzed retrospectively in 16 patients that received a SLT (SLT group). The results were compared with corresponding data from 31 matched patients that received a full-size liver transplant (FSLT group) during the same period. Serum creatinine (SCr) was measured before surgery, and, after transplantation, daily during the first week and at days 14, 21, and 28. Renal dysfunction (RD) was defined as the requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT) or a 100% increase in SCr if the basal value had been <1.0 mg/dL or a 50% increase in SCr if the basal value had been >1.0 mg/dL. SCr had to be at least 1.5 mg/dL for a diagnosis of RD to be considered. The classification of RD was: mild, SCr 1.5-2.4 mg/dL; moderate, SCr 2.5-4.0 mg/dL; or severe, SCr >4.0 mg/dL (the requirement for RRT). Both donor and recipient age and cold ischemia time were lower in the SLT group than in the FSLT group (P < 0.05). Length of surgery was longer in the SLT group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups with respect to Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores, the need for transfusions, the length of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), survival rate, individual severity index, or sepsis-related organ failure assessment scores at the time of diagnosing RD. Immunosuppression regimens were similar in both groups. RD developed in 82% of SLT patients, but in only 58% of FSLT patients (P = not significant [NS]). Among SLT patients, RD (23.0% mild, 15.5% moderate, and 61.5% severe) was more severe (P = 0.007) than in FSLT patients (63.1% mild, 15.8% moderate, and 24.1% severe). The requirement for RRT in the SLT group (43.7%) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that in the FSLT group (12.9%). This finding may be due to the different incidence of sepsis in the 2 groups (SLT 37.5% vs. FSLT 9.7%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, although the number of patients studied was small, our data suggest a higher incidence of RD and a greater requirement for RRT in patients that receive a split liver graft than in those that receive a full size liver graft.

Safety and efficacy of a single bolus administration of recombinant factor VIIa in liver transplantation due to chronic liver disease.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) can be associated with excessive blood loss. As a result, there may be increased risk of adverse outcomes. Activated recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa) has demonstrated the ability to improve hemostasis in a variety of disorders; however, there has been a limited amount of research into its use in OLT. The purpose of this dose-finding study was to examine the efficacy and safety of rFVIIa in the reduction of bleeding in patients undergoing OLT. In this double-blind trial, patients with end-stage liver disease scheduled for OLT were randomized to 1 of 4 parallel study groups. They received a single intravenous bolus of rFVIIa (20, 40, or 80 microg/kg) or placebo prior to surgery. The primary assessment endpoint was the total number of red blood cell (RBC) units transfused perioperatively. Safety was evaluated by adverse events reported. Eighty-three comparable patients were randomized to receive study product, with 82 ultimately undergoing OLT. There were no significant differences in required RBC units between the placebo and rFVIIa study groups. The number of adverse events was comparable between study groups. In conclusion, rFVIIa has a good safety profile in patients undergoing OLT. However, the doses studied did not have any effect on the number of RBC transfusions required.

Prevention of invasive fungal infections in liver transplant recipients: the role of prophylaxis with lipid formulations of amphotericin B in high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are associated with high mortality in liver transplant recipients. Prevention remains an elusive goal, especially for IFI caused by moulds. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1998, patients who fulfilled four or more variables identified as risk factors for IFI received a cumulative dose of 1-1.5 g of lipid formulations of amphotericin B (L-AmpB; AmBisome or Abelcet). The development of IFI in these patients was compared with historical patients. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty liver transplant recipients were analysed over a period of 8 years. In the historical group, IFI were observed in 22 of 131 patients (17%) and invasive aspergillosis in 13 of them (10%). After January 1998, IFI were observed in nine of 149 (6%) (P < 0.01) and invasive aspergillosis in six patients (4%) (P = 0.08). In patients with four or more risk factors (high risk) for IFI, the administration of L-AmpB reduced the risk from 36% to 14% (P = 0.07), and the risk of aspergillosis from 23% to 5% (P = 0.08). Notably, prophylaxis reduced the risk of aspergillosis from 32% to 0% in dialysed patients (P = 0.03). Variables independently associated with IFI in high-risk patients were dialysis [odds ratio (OR) 3.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1-16.7] and surgical reintervention (OR 5.4; 95% CI 1.2-24.6), while L-AmpB was a protective factor in this multivariate analysis (OR 0.1; 95% CI 0.02-0.8). The analysis in these high-risk patients was not able to demonstrate an association between the administration of L-AmpB and higher survival. CONCLUSIONS: Selected risk factors are good predictors of IFI in liver transplant recipients. The administration of L-AmpB in high-risk patients is independently associated with a reduction of IFI.