Predictors of Intensive Care Unit Stay in Patients with Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Above T6.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with the intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) of patients with an acute traumatic spinal cord injury above T6. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, observational study of patients admitted to an ICU between 1998 and 2017 (n = 241). The LOS was calculated using a cumulative incidence function, with events of death being considered a competing event. Factors associated with the LOS were analyzed using both a cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression model and a competing risk model. A multistate approach was also used to analyze the impact of nosocomial infections on the LOS. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients (87.5%) were discharged alive from the ICU (median LOS = 23 days), and 30 (12.4%) died (median LOS = 11 days). In the multivariate analysis after adjusting for variables collected 4 days after the ICU admission, a higher American Spinal Injury Association motor score (subdistribution hazards ratio [sHR] = 1.01), neurological level C5-C8 (HR = 0,64), and lower Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (sHR = 0.82) and fluid balance (sHR = 0.95) on day 4 were linked to a lower LOS in this unit. In the multivariate analysis, the onset of an infection was significantly associated with a longer LOS when adjusting for variables collected both at ICU admission (adjusted sHR = 0.62; 95% confidence interval = 0.50-0.77) and on day 4 (adjusted hazards ratio = 0.65; 95% confidence interval = 0.52-0.80). CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting the data for conventional variables, we identified a lower American Spinal Injury Association motor score, injury level C5-C8, a higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score on day 4, a more positive fluid balance on day 4, and the onset of an infection as factors independently associated with a longer ICU LOS.

Organ dysfunction as determined by the SOFA score is associated with prognosis in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury above T6.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective, observational study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate organ dysfunction in patients with an acute traumatic spinal cord injury (ATSCI) above T6 using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score to determine its association with mortality. SETTING: The study was performed at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital in the northwest of Spain. METHODS: The study included 241 patients with an ATSCI above T6 who had been admitted to the ICU between 1998 and 2017. A descriptive analysis of all variables collected was performed to compare the survivors with the non-survivors. In addition, a logistic regression model was used in the multivariate analysis to identify variables that were independently associated with mortality. RESULTS: The results revealed significant differences between the survivors and non-survivors in terms of their age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission, APACHE II score, SOFA score on day 0 and day 4, and delta SOFA 4-0 (ΔSOFA 4-0). The results of this multivariate analysis identified the following variables as independent predictors of intra-ICU mortality: age (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1. 01-1.08), SOFA score on day 0 (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.13-1.78), ΔSOFA 4-0 (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.25-1.87), and fluid balance on day 4 (OR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.00-1.35). CONCLUSIONS: The SOFA score is useful for evaluating organ dysfunction in patients with an ATSCI above T6. After adjusting the analysis for conventional variables, organ dysfunction on admission, changes in organ function between day 4 and day 0 (ΔSOFA 4-0), and fluid balance on day 4 were seen to be independently associated with mortality in our study.

Characteristics and Survival of Patients with Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Above T6 with Prolonged Intensive Care Unit Stays.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (ATSCI) above T6 who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for ≥30 days and their 1-year mortality compared with patients admitted for <30 days. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed on 211 patients with an acute traumatic spinal cord injury above T6 who were admitted to an ICU between 1998 and 2017. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between an ICU stay ≥30 days and mortality after ICU discharge. RESULTS: Of patients, 29.4% were admitted to the ICU for ≥30 days, accounting for 53.4% of total days of ICU stays generated by all patients. An ICU stay ≥30 days was not identified as an independent risk factor for mortality (1-year survival: 88.5% vs. 88.1%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.80, P = 0.699). Variables identified as predictors of 1-year post-ICU discharge mortality were severity at admission according to the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (HR 1.18) and the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale motor score (HR 0.97). Among patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation, a longer duration of the respiratory support was associated with increased mortality (HR 1.01). CONCLUSIONS: Three out of 10 patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury above T6 require prolonged stays in the ICU. Variables found to be associated with 1-year post-ICU discharge mortality in these patients were American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale motor score, severity, and greater duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, but not an ICU stay ≥30 days.

Sedoanalgesia para procedimientos de desbridamiento enzimático en pacientes con quemaduras en cara y cuello / Procedural sedation analgesia for enzymatic debridement in patients with burns on face and neck

Introducción y Objetivo: La cantidad de procedimientos mínimamente invasivos realizados fuera del quirófano ha crecido en las últimas décadas. La sedación, la analgesia o ambas, pueden ser necesarias para muchos de estos procedimientos de intervención o diagnóstico. Sin embargo, y hasta donde hemos podido conocer, no hay experiencia en el uso de sedoanalgesia para procedimientos (SAP) en pacientes con quemaduras faciales que necesitan desbridamiento enzimático El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la eficacia y la seguridad de la SAP para el control del dolor en pacientes con quemaduras faciales sometidos a tratamiento con desbridamiento enzimático. Material y Método: Describimos 16 casos de pacientes adultos con quemaduras en cara y cuello que necesitaron desbridamiento enzimático. Cuatro pacientes sin ventilación mecánica fueron tratados con SAP. Resultados: La SAP generalmente requiere combinación de múltiples agentes para alcanzar los efectos deseados de analgesia más ansiolisis. El procedimiento fue bien tolerado y los pacientes no sufrieron complicaciones. Conclusiones: Presentamos la SAP como opción para el desbridamiento enzimático de quemaduras faciales en pacientes adultos sin ventilación mecánica

Background and Objective: The number of minimally invasive procedures performed outside of the operating room has grown exponentially over the last several decades. Sedation, analgesia, or both may be needed for many of these interventional or diagnostic procedures. However, to our knowledge, there is no experience on the use of procedural sedation analgesia (PSA) in patients with facial burns who need enzymatic debridement. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of PSA for pain relief in patients with facial burns undergoing enzymatic debridement. Methods: We describe 16 cases of adult patients with burns on the face and neck who needed enzymatic debridement. Four patients without mechanical ventilation were treated with PSA. The procedure was well tolerated and the patients did not suffer complications. Results: PSA usually requires combinations of multiple agents to reach desired effects of analgesia plus anxiolysis. The procedure was well tolerated and the patients did not suffer complications. Conclusions: PSA can be an option for enzymatic debridement of facial burns in adults patients without mechanical ventilation