Enteral nutrition interruptions in critically ill patients: A prospective study on reasons, frequency and duration of interruptions of nutritional support during ICU stay.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Enteral Nutrition (EN) may be interrupted due to various reasons in the setting of intensive care unit (ICU) care. This study aimed to investigate the reasons, frequency, and duration of EN interruptions in critically ill patients within the first 7 days of ICU stay. METHODS: A total of 122 critically ill patients (median age: 63 years, 57% were males) initiating EN within the first 72 h of ICU admission and continued EN for at least 48 h during ICU stay were included in this observational prospective study conducted at a Medical ICU. Patients were followed for hourly energy intake as well as the frequency, reason, and duration of EN interruptions, for the first seven nutrition days of ICU stay or until death/discharge from ICU. RESULTS: The median APACHE II score was 22 (IQR, 17-27). The per patient EN interruption frequency was 2.74 and the median total EN interruption duration was 960 (IQR, 105-1950) minutes. The most common reason for EN interruption was radiological procedures (91 episodes) and the longest duration of EN interruption was due to tube malfunctions (1230 min). Target energy intake were achieved on the 6th day at a maximum rate of 89.4%. Logistic regression showed that there was relationship between increased mortality and patients with ≥3 EN interruptions (OR: 6.73 (2.15-30.55), p = 0.004) after adjusting for confounding variables (age and APACHE II score). According to Kaplan Meier analysis, patients with ≥3 EN interruptions had significantly lower median survival times than patients with <3 EN interruptions (24.0 (95% CI 8.5-39.5) vs 18.0 (95% CI 13-23) days, p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: During the first week of EN support, the most common reason of EN interruptions was related to radiological procedures and the longest EN interruptions was due to feeding tube malfunctions. There was relationship between ≥3 EN interruptions and increased mortality.

Serum trace elements levels in patients transferred from the intensive care unit to wards.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Trace elements act as co-factors and/or in co-enzymes in many metabolic pathways and its deficiency contributes to metabolic and infectious complications. The aim of this study was to determine serum zinc, selenium, cobalt, chromium, copper and ceruloplasmin levels for identify the need for post intensive care unit (ICU) nutritional follow-up. METHODS: This study was prospectively conducted in medical ICU. Adult patients (≥18 years) who stayed in ICU more than 48 h and transferred to ward were included in the study. Blood samples of trace element levels were sampled at discharge. RESULTS: We enrolled 100 patients. The median age was 60 (40-70) years with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score 15 (11-21) . The median C-Reactive Protein (CRP) level was 53.9 (24.8-116.0) mg/L at discharge. Median serum zinc (24.4 mcg/dl:14.2-38.7) and chromium (0.22 mcg/dl:0.17-0.34) levels were below reference values, while median copper (111.9 (73.0-152.5) mcg/dl) and selenium (54.8 (36.4-95.25) mcg/L) values were within ranges. Serum concentrations of chromium, zinc, and selenium were lower than the normal values in 98, 90, and 36% of patients, respectively. The 28-day ICU mortality were correlated with low serum selenium levels (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Serum chromium and zinc levels were below reference values at discharge, but this finding was in context of inflammation. Low serum selenium level observed in 36% was associated to 28-day ICU mortality.

The association between the route of nutrition and serum levels of adipokines in critical illness: a pilot study

Background/aim: Adipokines play an important role in the regulation of metabolism. In critical illness, they alter serum levels and are suspected to worsen clinical outcomes. But the effect of the route of nutrition on adipokines is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the route of nutrition and adipokine levels in critically ill patients. Materials and methods: This prospective study was performed in an intensive care unit (ICU). Patients admitted to the ICU for least 72 h and receiving either enteral nutrition (EN) via tube feeding or parenteral nutrition (PN) were enrolled. Serum was obtained at baseline, 24 h, and 72 h for concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, glucagon­like peptide 1 (GLP­1), insulin­like growth factors 1 (IGF­1), and ghrelin. Results: A total of 26 patients were included in the study. Thirteen patients received EN and 13 patients received PN. In the PN group, leptin level significantly increased (P = 0.037), adiponectin and ghrelin significantly decreased during follow up (P = 0.037, P = 0.008, respectively). There was no significant change between all adipokines in the EN group and resistin, IGF­1 and GLP­1 in the PN group during follow up. Resistin levels were markedly lower in the EN group at both 24 h (P = 0.015) and 72 h (P = 0.006) while GLP­1 levels were higher in the EN group at baseline, 24 h, and 72 h (P = 0.018, P = 0.005, and P = 0.003, respectively). There were no differences in leptin, adiponectin, IGF­1, and ghrelin levels over time. Conclusion: The delivery of EN in critical illness was associated with decreased resistin levels and increased GLP­1 levels. Thus, the route of nutrition may impact the clinical outcome in critical illness due to adipokines.

Value of prognostic scores in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis patients in intensive care unit: a multicenter retrospective cohort study from Turkey

Background/aim: There is a need for a scoring system for predicting ICU prognosis of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), but there are limited data on it in the literature. Therefore, we aimed to determine the scores that can estimate the prognosis of patients with AAV during intensive care follow up. Materials and methods: All adult patients admitted to the medical ICUs of 4 reference university hospitals in Turkey due to AAV activation and/or disease/treatment complications in the last 10 years were included in this study. Demographic data, treatments before ICU, the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) score at the time of vasculitis diagnosis, and BVAS, APACHE II, SOFA, and SAPS II scores at the ICU admission, treatments, procedures, and complications during ICU stay were recorded for all AAV patients. Results: Thirty-four patients were included in the study. The median age of the patients was 60 (42­70) years, and 64.7% were male. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and 9 were diagnosed with Microscopic polyangiitis. The most common ICU admission causes were hemorrhage (85.3%) and sepsis/septic shock (67.6%). Twenty patients (58.8%) died in the ICU follow up. There were significant differences in APACHE II (P = 0.004) and SAPS II (P = 0.044) scores between survivors and nonsurvivors, while there were no significant differences in BVAS (during diagnosis P = 0.089 and ICU admission P = 0.539) and SOFA (P = 0.097) scores. APACHE II score was found to be an independent risk factor for ICU mortality (OR = 1.231, CI 95% = 1.011­1.498, P = 0.038) according to logistic regression analysis. An APACHE II score of greater than 20.5 predicted ICU mortality with 80% sensitivity and 70% specificity (AUC = 0.8, P = 0.004, Likelihood ratio = 2.6) according to the ROC curve analysis. Conclusion: APACHE II score can be used for the prediction of ICU mortality in AAV patients.

Effects of oral/enteral nutrition alone versus plus pantoprazole on gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients with low risk factor: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial

Background/aim: Critically ill patients are at risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding due to stress causing mucosal damage. Aim of the study was to determine the effect of oral/enteral nutrition with or without concomitant pantoprazole on upper GI bleeding in low risk critically ill patients. Materials and methods: This was a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter study conducted with intensive care unit (ICU) patients receiving oral/enteral nutritional support. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups including intervention group (received oral/EN plus pantoprazole) and control group (received only oral/EN). Results: A total of 300 patients (intervention group: 152, control group: 148) participated in the study. Overall, 226 (75%) patients were fed by orally and 74 (25%) patients fed by enteral tube feeding. Median duration of nutritional support 4 (range: 2­33) days. Overt upper GI bleeding was noted only in one patient (0.65%) who was in the intervention group. The overall length of ICU stay of 4 (2­105) days, while ICU stay was significantly longer in the intervention group than in the control group (P = 0.006). Conclusions: Our findings seems to indicate that in patients who are at low risk for GI bleeding and under oral/enteral nutritional support, the use of PPIs may not reduce the risk of bleeding, however these results are imprecise because of low event (GI bleeding) rate and limited power.

Thiamin Status in Adults Receiving Chronic Diuretic Therapy Prior to Admission to a Medical Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine serum thiamin concentrations in critically ill medical patients who required chronic diuretic drug treatment before admission to a medical intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: This prospective study was performed in a medical ICU. Subjects who received diuretic drug therapy for at least 6 months prior to ICU admission constituted the diuretic group. The control group was clinically matched adults admitted to the same ICU but without a history of diuretic therapy. RESULTS: A total of 50 subjects were included (25 subjects in each of the diuretic and control groups). In the diuretic group, daily dose of furosemide prior to admission was 40 mg/d (range of 20-160 mg/d). In all subjects, the ICU admission baseline blood thiamin concentrations were 31.2 ± 27.1 ng/mL. In the diuretic group, the baseline whole blood thiamin level was significantly lower compared with levels in the control group (15.5 ± 10.7 vs 46.8 ± 29.5 ng/mL; P < 0.001). On day 2 after entry, thiamin levels remained low (23.2 ± 15.4 ng/mL in the diuretic group vs 49 ± 38 ng/mL in the control group; P = 0.003). Low thiamin levels were found in 96% of patients at baseline and in 72% of patients on the second day in the diuretic group. CONCLUSION: Adults receiving chronic diuretic therapy and then requiring medical ICU care commonly exhibit thiamin depletion on admission to the ICU and during the initial days of ICU care.

Refeeding hypophosphatemia: a potentially fatal danger in the intensive care unit.

AIM: To determine the overall and comparative incidence of refeeding hypophosphatemia (RH) between enteral and parenteral nutrition in general adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed as a retrospective analysis. A total of 117 patients who received enteral and parenteral nutrition were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, type of nutrition, daily energy intake, and serum phosphorus levels before and after the initiation of the nutrition were recorded for 7 days. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 65.8 ± 16.7 years. RH was found in 61 patients (52.14%). There was no significant difference in RH with regard to nutrition type (P = 0.756). The duration of the ICU stay was longer in the patients with RH compared with the patients without RH [median: 12 (3-68) and 8.5 (3-41) days, respectively; P = 0.025]. The mortality rate was higher in patients with RH compared with patients without RH (P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: The incidence of RH was quite high in our medical ICU. The mortality rate and the duration of ICU stay were higher in the patients with RH than those without RH.

Effects of endosulfan intoxication on pituitary functions.

CONTEXT: We investigated the effects of endosulfan intoxication on pituitary functions in three patients. METHODS: This is an observational case series including three patients with endosulfan intoxication. Patients were evaluated 3 months after the acute event. RESULTS: Based on the baseline hormonal values and dynamic endocrine tests, one patient had hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis impairment and was diagnosed as ACTH deficiency (peak cortisol level was found 13.12 µg/dl after low dose ACTH stimulation test), and another one had GH-IGF-I axis impairment and was diagnosed as GH deficiency (peak GH level was found 1.06 µg/L after glucagon stimulation test). CONCLUSIONS: Endosulfan intoxication might cause pituitary hormone deficiencies after the acute phase. Therefore, patients with endosulfan toxicity should be followed for possible pituitary gland dysfunction.

Experiences with endosulfan mass poisoning in rural areas.

This paper describes very rare chemical poisoning and characteristics of patients with acute endosulfan mass poisoning in a rural area of Turkey and our experiences of these patients. We included 41 patients who were treated in our hospital with the diagnosis of endosulfan poisoning. After the first vital intervention they were examined in terms of age, sex, symptoms and physical examination findings, laboratory results, treatment and outcome. Forty-one patients were admitted to the emergency department (ED) after triage. Nineteen (46.3%) of the patients were female, 22 (53.7%) were male. The mean age was 27.9+/-16.0 years (1-67 years). The mean time to the ED was 4.1+/-0.9 h (3-6.5 h). The most common symptoms were anxiety (97.6%), nausea (56.1%) and vomiting (48.8%). Tests of the blood samples obtained at the ED revealed leucocytosis (11 070.6+/-4302.5/microl), increased blood glucose, LDH, CK and CK-MB levels. Toxicological analysis of blood and urine samples revealed endosulfan as the causative agent. Especially in the rural areas, cases with acute repetitive seizures should suggest endosulfan intoxication when the aetiology is uncertain even in the absence of any signs of intoxication. Health care professionals should understand the hazards associated with the pesticide use as well as diagnosis and treatment of these types of poisonings.

The role of plasma exchange in HELLP syndrome.

Plasma exchange therapy has been successfully used in selected patients with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome who have organ failure or refractory to treatment. There is no prospective study regarding plasma exchange and its effect in HELLP syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of early postpartum use of plasma exchange in patients with HELLP syndrome on outcomes. The mortality rate and the recovery times were compared in patients with HELLP syndrome treated with plasma exchange and historic control group of patients treated conservatively. During a 3-year period (between April 2000 and December 2003), 29 consecutive patients with HELLP syndrome were treated with single or multiple plasma exchange by using fresh-frozen plasma at post-partum period. The control group consist of 26 patients with HELLP syndrome treated between 1993 and 1999. Maternal mortality rate was 23.1% in the control group; there was no death in plasma exchange group; and the mortality rate was significantly higher in the control group (p=0.006). The length of stay at the intensive care unit was shorter in the plasma exchange group (p<0.0001). Rapid improvement of the platelet, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactic dehydrogenase levels were observed in the plasma exchange group. This study showed that postpartum early plasma exchange therapy improves treatment outcomes in patients with severe HELLP syndrome.

The effects of fresh frozen plasma on cholinesterase levels and outcomes in patients with organophosphate poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of fresh frozen plasma, as a source of cholinesterase, on butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE; plasma or pseudo cholinesterase) levels and outcomes in patients with organophosphate poisoning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was performed at the Department of Intensive Care of Erciyes University Medical School. Over 2 yrs, patients admitted to the ICU for OP poisoning were entered into the study. OP poisoning was diagnosed on the basis of history and BuChE levels. All patients received atropine. Fresh frozen plasma was given to 12 patients. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee, and verbal informed consent was obtained. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included in the study. BuChE levels measured at admission and the pralidoxime and atropine doses administered were not different between groups (p>0.05). Although intermediate syndrome developed in 28.6% of patients receiving pralidoxime, there were no intermediate syndrome cases in patients receiving plasma prior to developing intermediate syndrome. The mortality rates were 14.3% in the pralidoxime group and 0% in the plasma+atropine+pralidoxime group. Two patients received plasma after developing the intermediate syndrome, and one patient who received only atropine died. BuChE levels of fresh frozen plasma were 4069.5 +/- 565.1 IU/L. Every two bags of plasma provided an increase in BuChE levels of approximately 461.7 +/- 142.1 IU/L. CONCLUSION: Fresh frozen plasma therapy increases BuChE levels in patients with organophosphate poisonings. The administration of plasma may also prevent the development of intermediate syndrome and related mortality. Plasma (fresh frozen or freshly prepared) therapy may be used as an alternative or adjunctive treatment method in patients with organophosphate pesticide poisoning, especially in cases not given pralidoxime. Further randomized controlled and animal studies are required to infer a definitive result.

Incidence, risk factors and mortality of nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care units: a prospective study.

To determine the frequency, risk factors and mortality of nosocomial pneumonia a prospective study was conducted in the intensive care units. In the study period, 2402 patients were included. The nosocomial pneumonia was defined according to the Centers for Disease Control Criteria. Overall, 163 (6.8%) of the patients developed nosocomial pneumonia and 75.5% (n = 123) of all patients with nosocomial pneumonia were ventilator-associated pneumonia. 163 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit during the same period but had no bacteriologic or histologic evidence of pneumonia were used as a control group. The APACHE II score, coma, hypoalbuminemia, mechanical ventilation, tracheotomy, presence of nasogastric tube were found as independent risk factors. Crude and attributable mortality were 65% and 52.6%, respectively. The mortality rate was five times greater in the cases (OR: 5.2; CI 95%: 3.2-8.3). The mean length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital in the cases were longer than controls (p < 0.0001). Patients requiring mechanical ventilation have a high frequency of nosocomial pneumonia.

The effect of plasmapheresis on plasma cholinesterase levels in a patient with organophosphate poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the role of plasmapheresis in management of organophosphate poisonings. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: A medical intensive care unit of a medical faculty. PATIENT: A patient with organophosphate poisoning whose cholinesterase levels continuously decline and then increase up to a normal level after plasmapheresis is performed for his sepsis. INTERVENTIONS: Plasmapheresis with fresh frozen plasma. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Baseline plasma cholinesterase (ChE) level was 4001 IU/L (normal values: 4000-10000 IU/L). Aspiration pneumonia was developed on day 3, and sepsis occurred on day 5. During this period, ChE levels gradually decreased. On day 5, plasmapheresis was performed for sepsis. Interestingly, plasma ChE levels increased from 2101 IU/L to 6144 IU/L after plasmapheresis. Atropine and pralidoxime were stopped, and a high level of ChE continued during hospitalization. The patient was successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation 3 days after plasmapheresis. CONCLUSION: Plasma exchange therapy may be considered for patients with organophosphate poisoning unresponsive to atropine and pralidoxime.

[Cranial MR imaging findings of carbon monoxide poisoning in asymptomatic patients in the chronic stage]. / Karbon monoksit zehirlenmesi geçiren kronik dönem asemptomatik olgularda kranyal MRG bulgulari.

PURPOSE: To describe MR imaging findings of the chronic stage of carbon monoxide poisoning in asymptomatic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 34 patients, who had been admitted to our hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning were reviewed and invited for control evaluation. Of the patients who accepted, ten who had no symptoms and neurological sequelae in the physical examination were included in the study. All patients had been in coma on initial admittance and had awakened after normobaric 100% oxygen therapy 1-10 years ago. Their ages were between 22-57 years (mean, 36.2 years). All patients were examined with cranial MR imaging. RESULTS: The most common finding was bilateral symmetric hyperintensity of the white matter more evident in the centrum semiovale with relative sparing of temporal lobes and anterior parts of frontal lobes on T2-weighted and FLAIR images in all patients. Subcortical U-fibers were intact in all patients. Cerebral cortical atrophy of variable degrees was seen in eight patients, mild atrophy of cerebellar hemispheres in seven patients, and vermian atrophy in nine patients. Corpus callosum was atrophic in two patients. Bilateral globus pallidus lesions were seen in three patients as hypointense on T1-weighted and hyperintense on T2-weighted and FLAIR images. CONCLUSION: Cerebral changes may be present in patients with severe CO poisoning even when the patient becomes asymptomatic. Knowledge of these findings would be helpful when evaluating these patients for follow-up or for other reasons.

Physiological-dose steroid therapy in sepsis [ISRCTN36253388].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic importance of basal cortisol concentrations and cortisol response to corticotropin, and to determine the effects of physiological dose steroid therapy on mortality in patients with sepsis. METHODS: Basal cortisol level and corticotropin stimulation test were performed within 24 hours in all patients. One group (20 patients) received standard therapy for sepsis and physiological-dose steroid therapy for 10 days; the other group (20 patients) received only standard therapy for sepsis. Basal cortisol level was measured on the 14th day in patients who recovered. The outcome of sepsis was compared. RESULTS: Only Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was found related to mortality, independent from other factors in multivariate analysis. No significant difference was found between the changes in the percentage of SOFA scores of the steroid therapy group and the standard therapy group in survivors, nor between the groups in basal and peak cortisol levels, cortisol response to corticotropin test and mortality. The mortality rates among patients with occult adrenal insufficiencies were 40% in the steroid therapy group and 55.6% in the standard therapy group. DISCUSSION: There was a trend towards a decrease in the mortality rates of the patients with sepsis who received physiological-dose steroid therapy. In the advancing process from sepsis to septic shock, adrenal insufficiency was not frequent as supposed. There was a trend (that did not reach significance) towards a decrease in the mortality rates of the patients with sepsis who received physiological-dose steroid therapy.