Ultrasound-based clinical profiles for predicting the risk of intradialytic hypotension in critically ill patients on intermittent dialysis: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Intradialytic hypotension, a complication of intermittent hemodialysis, decreases the efficacy of dialysis and increases long-term mortality. This study was aimed to determine whether different predialysis ultrasound cardiopulmonary profiles could predict intradialytic hypotension. METHODS: This prospective observational single-center study was performed in 248 critically ill patients with acute kidney injury undergoing intermittent hemodialysis. Immediately before hemodialysis, vena cava collapsibility was measured by vena cava ultrasound and pulmonary congestion by lung ultrasound. Factors predicting intradialytic hypotension were identified by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Intradialytic hypotension was observed in 31.9% (n = 79) of the patients, interruption of dialysis because of intradialytic hypotension occurred in 6.8% (n = 31) of the sessions, and overall 28-day mortality was 20.1% (n = 50). Patients were classified in four ultrasound profiles: (A) 108 with B lines > 14 and vena cava collapsibility > 11.5 mm m-2, (B) 38 with B lines < 14 and vena cava collapsibility ≤ 11.5 mm m-2, (C) 36 with B lines > 14 and vena cava collapsibility Di ≤ 11.5 mm m-2, and (D) 66 with B lines < 14 and vena cava collapsibility > 11.5 mm m-2. There was an increased risk of intradialytic hypotension in patients receiving norepinephrine (odds ratios = 15, p = 0.001) and with profiles B (odds ratios = 12, p = 0.001) and C (odds ratios = 17, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In critically ill patients on intermittent hemodialysis, the absence of hypervolemia as assessed by lung and vena cava ultrasound predisposes to intradialytic hypotension and suggests alternative techniques of hemodialysis to provide better hemodynamic stability.

Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part 2.

Perspectives on invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support for critically ill patients are evolving, as much evidence indicates that ventilation may have positive effects on patient survival and the quality of the care provided in intensive care units in Brazil. For those reasons, the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB) and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia - SBPT), represented by the Mechanical Ventilation Committee and the Commission of Intensive Therapy, respectively, decided to review the literature and draft recommendations for mechanical ventilation with the goal of creating a document for bedside guidance as to the best practices on mechanical ventilation available to their members. The document was based on the available evidence regarding 29 subtopics selected as the most relevant for the subject of interest. The project was developed in several stages, during which the selected topics were distributed among experts recommended by both societies with recent publications on the subject of interest and/or significant teaching and research activity in the field of mechanical ventilation in Brazil. The experts were divided into pairs that were charged with performing a thorough review of the international literature on each topic. All the experts met at the Forum on Mechanical Ventilation, which was held at the headquarters of AMIB in São Paulo on August 3 and 4, 2013, to collaboratively draft the final text corresponding to each sub-topic, which was presented to, appraised, discussed and approved in a plenary session that included all 58 participants and aimed to create the final document.

Recomendações brasileiras de ventilação mecânica 2013. Parte 2 / Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part 2

O suporte ventilatório artificial invasivo e não invasivo ao paciente grave tem evoluído e inúmeras evidências têm surgido, podendo ter impacto na melhora da sobrevida e da qualidade do atendimento oferecido nas unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil. Isto posto, a Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira (AMIB) e a Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia (SBPT) - representadas por seu Comitê de Ventilação Mecânica e sua Comissão de Terapia Intensiva, respectivamente, decidiram revisar a literatura e preparar recomendações sobre ventilação mecânica, objetivando oferecer aos associados um documento orientador das melhores práticas da ventilação mecânica na beira do leito, com base nas evidências existentes, sobre os 29 subtemas selecionados como mais relevantes no assunto. O projeto envolveu etapas que visaram distribuir os subtemas relevantes ao assunto entre experts indicados por ambas as sociedades, que tivessem publicações recentes no assunto e/ou atividades relevantes em ensino e pesquisa no Brasil, na área de ventilação mecânica. Esses profissionais, divididos por subtemas em duplas, responsabilizaram-se por fazer uma extensa revisão da literatura mundial. Reuniram-se todos no Fórum de Ventilação Mecânica, na sede da AMIB, na cidade de São Paulo (SP), em 3 e 4 de agosto de 2013, para finalização conjunta do texto de cada subtema e apresentação, apreciação, discussão e aprovação em plenária pelos 58 participantes, permitindo a elaboração de um documento final.

Perspectives on invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support for critically ill patients are evolving, as much evidence indicates that ventilation may have positive effects on patient survival and the quality of the care provided in intensive care units in Brazil. For those reasons, the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB) and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia - SBPT), represented by the Mechanical Ventilation Committee and the Commission of Intensive Therapy, respectively, decided to review the literature and draft recommendations for mechanical ventilation with the goal of creating a document for bedside guidance as to the best practices on mechanical ventilation available to their members. The document was based on the available evidence regarding 29 subtopics selected as the most relevant for the subject of interest. The project was developed in several stages, during which the selected topics were distributed among experts recommended by both societies with recent publications on the subject of interest and/or significant teaching and research activity in the field of mechanical ventilation in Brazil. The experts were divided into pairs that were charged with performing a thorough review of the international literature on each topic. All the experts met at the Forum on Mechanical Ventilation, which was held at the headquarters of AMIB in São Paulo on August 3 and 4, 2013, to collaboratively draft the final text corresponding to each sub-topic, which was presented to, appraised, discussed and approved in a plenary session that included all 58 participants and aimed to create the final document.

Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part I.

Perspectives on invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support for critically ill patients are evolving, as much evidence indicates that ventilation may have positive effects on patient survival and the quality of the care provided in intensive care units in Brazil. For those reasons, the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB) and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumonia e Tisiologia - SBPT), represented by the Mechanical Ventilation Committee and the Commission of Intensive Therapy, respectively, decided to review the literature and draft recommendations for mechanical ventilation with the goal of creating a document for bedside guidance as to the best practices on mechanical ventilation available to their members. The document was based on the available evidence regarding 29 subtopics selected as the most relevant for the subject of interest. The project was developed in several stages, during which the selected topics were distributed among experts recommended by both societies with recent publications on the subject of interest and/or significant teaching and research activity in the field of mechanical ventilation in Brazil. The experts were divided into pairs that were charged with performing a thorough review of the international literature on each topic. All the experts met at the Forum on Mechanical Ventilation, which was held at the headquarters of AMIB in São Paulo on August 3 and 4, 2013, to collaboratively draft the final text corresponding to each sub-topic, which was presented to, appraised, discussed and approved in a plenary session that included all 58 participants and aimed to create the final document.

Recomendações brasileiras de ventilação mecânica 2013. Parte I / Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part I

O suporte ventilatório artificial invasivo e não invasivo ao paciente crítico tem evoluído e inúmeras evidências têm surgido, podendo ter impacto na melhora da sobrevida e da qualidade do atendimento oferecido nas unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil. Isto posto, a Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira (AMIB) e a Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumonia e Tisiologia (SBPT) - representadas pelo seus Comitê de Ventilação Mecânica e Comissão de Terapia Intensiva, respectivamente, decidiram revisar a literatura e preparar recomendações sobre ventilação mecânica objetivando oferecer aos associados um documento orientador das melhores práticas da ventilação mecânica na beira do leito, baseado nas evidencias existentes, sobre os 29 subtemas selecionados como mais relevantes no assunto. O projeto envolveu etapas visando distribuir os subtemas relevantes ao assunto entre experts indicados por ambas as sociedades que tivessem publicações recentes no assunto e/ou atividades relevantes em ensino e pesquisa no Brasil na área de ventilação mecânica. Esses profissionais, divididos por subtemas em duplas, responsabilizaram-se por fazer revisão extensa da literatura mundial sobre cada subtema. Reuniram-se todos no Forum de Ventilação Mecânica na sede da AMIB em São Paulo, em 03 e 04 de agosto de 2013 para finalização conjunta do texto de cada subtema e apresentação, apreciação, discussão e aprovação em plenária pelos 58 participantes, permitindo a elaboração de um documento final.

Perspectives on invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support for critically ill patients are evolving, as much evidence indicates that ventilation may have positive effects on patient survival and the quality of the care provided in intensive care units in Brazil. For those reasons, the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB) and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumonia e Tisiologia - SBPT), represented by the Mechanical Ventilation Committee and the Commission of Intensive Therapy, respectively, decided to review the literature and draft recommendations for mechanical ventilation with the goal of creating a document for bedside guidance as to the best practices on mechanical ventilation available to their members. The document was based on the available evidence regarding 29 subtopics selected as the most relevant for the subject of interest. The project was developed in several stages, during which the selected topics were distributed among experts recommended by both societies with recent publications on the subject of interest and/or significant teaching and research activity in the field of mechanical ventilation in Brazil. The experts were divided into pairs that were charged with performing a thorough review of the international literature on each topic. All the experts met at the Forum on Mechanical Ventilation, which was held at the headquarters of AMIB in São Paulo on August 3 and 4, 2013, to collaboratively draft the final text corresponding to each sub-topic, which was presented to, appraised, discussed and approved in a plenary session that included all 58 participants and aimed to create the final document.

Clinical impact of sepsis at admission to the ICU of a private hospital in Salvador, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and clinical outcomes of patients with and without sepsis admitted to the ICU of a private hospital in the city of Salvador, Brazil, and to identify clinical variables related to a worse prognosis in those with sepsis. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study including all patients admitted to the general ICU of the Hospital Português, in the city of Salvador, Brazil, between June of 2008 and March of 2009. At ICU admission, two groups of patients were identified: with sepsis and without sepsis. Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data were collected, and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was calculated. RESULTS: Of the 144 patients in the study, 29 (20.1%) had sepsis. Among the patients with sepsis, males accounted for 55.2%, the mean age was 73.1 ± 14.6 years, and the mean APACHE II score was 23.8 ± 9.1, compared with 36.3%, 68.7 ± 17.7 years, and 18.4 ± 9.5, respectively, among those without sepsis. There were significant associations between a diagnosis of sepsis and the following variables: APACHE II score; in-hospital mortality; ICU mortality; HR; mean arterial pressure; hematocrit level; white blood cell count; and antibiotic use. The use of life support measures and lower hematocrit levels were associated with a worse prognosis in the patients with sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: The patients diagnosed with sepsis presented worse clinical outcomes, probably due to their greater severity. Hematocrit level was the only variable that was a predictor of mortality risk in the patients with sepsis.

Impacto clínico do diagnóstico de sepse à admissão em UTI de um hospital privado em Salvador, Bahia / Clinical impact of sepsis at admission to the ICU of a private hospital in Salvador, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Descrever as características clínicas, os dados laboratoriais e o desfecho clínico de pacientes sépticos e não sépticos admitidos em UTI de um hospital privado na cidade de Salvador, Bahia, e identificar variáveis clínicas relacionadas ao pior prognóstico dos pacientes sépticos. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo longitudinal que incluiu todos os pacientes admitidos na UTI geral do Hospital Português, Salvador (BA), entre junho de 2008 e março de 2009. Na admissão na UTI, dois grupos de pacientes foram identificados: sépticos e não sépticos. Foram coletados dados epidemiológicos, clínicos e laboratoriais, e o escore Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) foi calculado. RESULTADOS: Dos 144 pacientes do estudo, 29 (20,1 por cento) eram sépticos. Entre os pacientes sépticos, 55,2 por cento eram do sexo masculino, a média de idade foi de 73,1 ± 14,6 anos, e a média do escore do APACHE II foi de 23,8 ± 9,1. No grupo não séptico, 36,3 por cento eram do sexo masculino, a média de idade foi de 68,7 ± 17,7 anos, e a média do escore do APACHE II foi de 18,4 ± 9,5. Houve associações estatisticamente significantes entre o diagnóstico de sepse e as seguintes variáveis: escore do APACHE II, mortalidade na UTI, mortalidade hospitalar, FC, pressão arterial média, valor de hematócrito, contagem de leucócitos e uso de antibioticoterapia. O uso de medidas de suporte e valores reduzidos de hematócrito se relacionaram com um pior prognóstico entre os pacientes sépticos. CONCLUSÕES: Os pacientes diagnosticados com sepse apresentaram piores desfechos clínicos, provavelmente por causa de sua maior gravidade. O nível de hematócrito foi a única variável capaz de predizer o risco de morte entre pacientes sépticos.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and clinical outcomes of patients with and without sepsis admitted to the ICU of a private hospital in the city of Salvador, Brazil, and to identify clinical variables related to a worse prognosis in those with sepsis. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study including all patients admitted to the general ICU of the Hospital Português, in the city of Salvador, Brazil, between June of 2008 and March of 2009. At ICU admission, two groups of patients were identified: with sepsis and without sepsis. Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data were collected, and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was calculated. RESULTS: Of the 144 patients in the study, 29 (20.1 percent) had sepsis. Among the patients with sepsis, males accounted for 55.2 percent, the mean age was 73.1 ± 14.6 years, and the mean APACHE II score was 23.8 ± 9.1, compared with 36.3 percent, 68.7 ± 17.7 years, and 18.4 ± 9.5, respectively, among those without sepsis. There were significant associations between a diagnosis of sepsis and the following variables: APACHE II score; in-hospital mortality; ICU mortality; HR; mean arterial pressure; hematocrit level; white blood cell count; and antibiotic use. The use of life support measures and lower hematocrit levels were associated with a worse prognosis in the patients with sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: The patients diagnosed with sepsis presented worse clinical outcomes, probably due to their greater severity. Hematocrit level was the only variable that was a predictor of mortality risk in the patients with sepsis.

Análise da satisfação dos familiares em unidade de terapia intensiva / Analysis of family satisfaction in intensive care unit

OBJETIVOS: Conhecer as necessidades e o grau de satisfação dos familiares de pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva é uma parte essencial dos cuidados dos profissionais de saúde. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar o grau de satisfação dos familiares de pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo na unidade de terapia intensiva Geral Adulto do Hospital Português (Salvador-BA) durante o período de novembro de 2007 a janeiro de 2008. Para avaliação da satisfação dos familiares foi utilizada a versão modificada por Jonhson (1998) do Inventário de Necessidades de Familiares em Terapia Intensiva . RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 53 familiares, com média de idade de 44 anos, sendo 68 por cento do sexo feminino. A mediana do nível de satisfação dos familiares foi de 11 (IIQ:9-13), numa escala de um a quatorze. As questões do Inventário de Necessidades de Familiares em Terapia Intensiva com maiores índices de satisfação foram as que afirmavam que os familiares sentiam que o melhor cuidado possível estava sendo oferecido ao paciente (96 por cento) e que as informações dadas foram honestas (96 por cento). As questões com índices menores de satisfação foram as que afirmavam que os familiares acreditavam que alguém da unidade de terapia intensiva demonstrou interesse em saber como estavam se sentindo (45 por cento) e que os funcionários do hospital explicaram como os equipamentos estão sendo usados (41 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: A maioria dos familiares avaliou positivamente os profissionais da unidade de terapia intensiva nas questões relacionadas à comunicação, atitude e cuidado médico com o paciente. No entanto, houve um percentual menor de satisfação nas questões relacionadas com a capacidade dos profissionais de confortar os familiares.

OBJECTIVES: To know the needs and level of family members' satisfaction is an essential part of the care provided to critically ill patients in intensive care units. The objective of this study was to identify the level of family members' satisfaction in an intensive care unit. METHODS: A descriptive survey was carried out in the general adult intensive care unit of the Hospital Português (Salvador - BA) from November 2007 to January 2008. Jonhson's 14-question modified version of the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory was used to evaluate satisfaction of family members. RESULTS: Fifty three family members were included, mean age was 44 years and 68 percent were female. The median of family members satisfaction level was 11 (IQI = 9-13). Critical Care Family Need Inventory, questions with higher percentiles of satisfaction were those stating that family members felt that the patient was receiving the best possible care (96 percent) and that the information provided was honest (96 percent). The questions with lower percentiles of satisfaction were those stating that family members believed that someone in the intensive care unit had shown interest in their feelings (45 percent) and that a healthcare professional had explained how the intensive care unit equipment was used (41 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Most family members positively evaluated the intensive care unit professionals in the questions related to communication, attitude and patient care. However, there was a lower level of satisfaction in the questions related to the intensive care unit professionals' ability to comfort family members.

Analysis of family satisfaction in intensive care unit. / Análise da satisfação dos familiares em unidade de terapia intensiva.

OBJECTIVES: To know the needs and level of family members' satisfaction is an essential part of the care provided to critically ill patients in intensive care units. The objective of this study was to identify the level of family members' satisfaction in an intensive care unit. METHODS: A descriptive survey was carried out in the general adult intensive care unit of the Hospital Português (Salvador - BA) from November 2007 to January 2008. Jonhson's 14-question modified version of the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory was used to evaluate satisfaction of family members. RESULTS: Fifty three family members were included, mean age was 44 years and 68% were female. The median of family members satisfaction level was 11 (IQI = 9-13). Critical Care Family Need Inventory, questions with higher percentiles of satisfaction were those stating that family members felt that the patient was receiving the best possible care (96%) and that the information provided was honest (96%). The questions with lower percentiles of satisfaction were those stating that family members believed that someone in the intensive care unit had shown interest in their feelings (45%) and that a healthcare professional had explained how the intensive care unit equipment was used (41%). CONCLUSIONS: Most family members positively evaluated the intensive care unit professionals in the questions related to communication, attitude and patient care. However, there was a lower level of satisfaction in the questions related to the intensive care unit professionals' ability to comfort family members.

Desmame e interrupção da ventilação mecânica / Mechanical ventilation of weaning interruption

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Em 2000, foi publicado o II Consenso Brasileiro de Ventilação Mecânica. Desde então, o conhecimento na área da ventilação mecânica avançou rapidamente, com a publicação de inúmeros estudos clínicos que acrescentaram informações importantes para o manuseio de pacientes críticos em ventilação artificial. Além disso, a expansão do conceito de Medicina Baseada em Evidências determinou a hierarquização das recomendações clínicas, segundo o rigor do método dos estudos que as embasaram. Essa abordagem explícita vem ampliando a compreensão e a aplicação das recomendações clínicas. Por esses motivos, a AMIB - Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - e a SBPT - Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia - julgaram conveniente a atualização das recomendações descritas no Consenso anterior. Dentre os tópicos selecionados o desmame da Ventilação Mecânica foi um dos temas propostos. O objetivo foi descrever os pontos mais importantes relacionados ao desmame da ventilação mecânica. MÉTODO: Objetivou-se chegar a um documento suficientemente sintético, que refletisse a melhor evidência disponível na literatura. A revisão bibliográfica baseou-se na busca de estudos através de palavras-chave e em sua gradação conforme níveis de evidência. As palavras-chave utilizadas para a busca foram: weaning e mechanical ventilation. RESULTADOS: São apresentadas recomendações quanto aos métodos de desmame utilizados, ao uso de protocolos e a identificação dos pacientes através do teste de ventilação espontânea. CONCLUSÕES: A liberação do paciente do ventilador é um momento muito importante da ventilação mecânica. A utilização de protocolos para reconhecimento dos pacientes aptos a serem extubados contribui com a redução do tempo de internação dos pacientes em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The II Brazilian Consensus Conference on Mechanical Ventilation was published in 2000. Knowledge on the field of mechanical ventilation evolved rapidly since then, with the publication of numerous clinical studies with potential impact on the ventilatory management of critically ill patients. Moreover, the evolving concept of evidence - based medicine determined the grading of clinical recommendations according to the methodological value of the studies on which they are based. This explicit approach has broadened the understanding and adoption of clinical recommendations. For these reasons, AMIB - Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira and SBPT - Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia - decided to update the recommendations of the II Brazilian Consensus. Weaning from mechanical ventilation has been one of the updated topics. This objective was described the most important topics related to weaning from mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Systematic review of the published literature and gradation of the studies in levels of evidence, using the keywords weaning and mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Recommendations on the weaning from mechanical ventilation and how to select patients applying weaning protocols and spontaneous breathing test. CONCLUSIONS: Weaning is a very important period of mechanical ventilatory support. Weaning protocols are recommended to select patients ready to be extubated.

Condutas de limitação terapêutica em pacientes internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva / Therapeutic limitation conducts in intensive care unit patients

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Atualmente, há uma tendência crescente de se buscar o "morrer com dignidade", mais do que prolongar inutilmente o sofrimento de pacientes terminais em unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a utilização de condutas que sugerem limitação terapêutica (LT) em pacientes que foram a óbito em UTI Adulto. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, retrospectivo, que avaliou prontuários médicos de pacientes que foram a óbito na UTI geral de um hospital privado de Salvador-BA, entre janeiro e agosto de 2003, com internação superior a 24 horas na unidade. Os pacientes foram classificados, em relação ao óbito, em "não resposta a medidas de reanimação", "morte encefálica", "decisão de não reanimar" (DNR), "não adoção ou retirada de medidas de suporte de vida", sendo estas duas últimas consideradas medidas sugestivas de limitação terapêutica. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos dados referentes a 67 pacientes, correspondendo a 90,4 por cento dos pacientes falecidos na unidade durante o período. Destes, 56,7 por cento eram mulheres e a idade média dos pacientes foi de 66,58 ± 17,86 anos. Medidas sugestivas de LT foram encontradas em 59,7 por cento dos pacientes, sendo a mais importante "não adoção de medidas de suporte" (35,8 por cento), seguida de DNR (17,9 por cento) e "retirada de medidas de suporte" (6 por cento). A utilização de fármacos vasoativos e métodos dialíticos foram as medidas de suporte mais omitidas, enquanto antibioticoterapia foi a mais retirada. A utilização de medidas de LT foi mais freqüente nos pacientes clínicos. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados do presente estudo sugerem altas freqüências de condutas médicas sugestivas de LT em UTI geral no Nordeste do Brasil. Métodos terapêuticos que possam causar desconforto ou sofrimento aos pacientes terminais, como nutrição, sedação e analgesia, raramente foram omitidos ou retirados.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is a growing tendency of looking for "dying with dignity", rather than to prolong death and suffering of terminal patients on intensive care units (ICU). This study aims to evaluate medical practices that suggest therapeutic limitation (TL) in patients who died in an adult ICU. METHODS: A retrospective exploratory study was carried out to evaluate medical records of patients who died in a general adult ICU of a private hospital in Salvador-BA, between January and August of 2003, after at least 24 hours from the admission. The patients were classified, in relation to their deaths, in: "not responding to cardiopulmonary resuscitation", "brain death", "decision not to resuscitate" (DNR) and "withhold or withdrawal life-support measures". RESULTS: Sixty seven patients were included, corresponding to 90.4 percent of the deaths occurred in this ICU during the referred period. The most of them (56.7 percent) were women and the patientsÆ mean age was 66.58 ± 17.86 years. Suggestive measures of TL were found in 59.7 percent of the patients, being "withhold of life-support measures" the most important (35.8 percent), followed by DNR (17.9 percent) and "withdrawal of life-support measures" (6 percent). The procedures most commonly omitted were use of vasoactive drugs and dialysis, while antibiotics were the most discontinued. The use of TL measures was more frequent in clinical patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest high frequencies of medical conducts suggestive of TL in a general ICU in Northeast of Brazil. Therapeutic methods that could cause discomfort or suffering to the patients, as nutrition, sedation and analgesia, were rarely omitted or discontinued.

Análise de estressores para o paciente em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva / Analysis of stressors for the patient in Intensive Care Unit

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O ambiente hospitalar, especialmente o de uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), devido à complexidade do atendimento prestado, bem como a estrutura física, o barulho, os equipamentos e a movimentação das pessoas, é tido como gerador de estresse para os pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e estratificar os estressores para pacientes internados em UTI, na perspectiva do próprio paciente, familiares e profissionais de saúde. MÉTODO: Estudo de corte transversal realizado entre junho e novembro de 2004, na UTI geral de hospital privado. A amostra foi composta por três grupos: pacientes (G1), familiares (G2) e um membro da equipe da UTI responsável pelo atendimento do paciente incluído (G3). Para identificação e estratificação dos fatores estressantes, utilizou-se a Escala de Estressores em UTI (Intensive Care Unit Environmental Stressor Scale - ICUESS). Para cada paciente e participante, foi calculado um escore total de estresse (ETE) pela soma de todas as respostas da escala. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 30 pacientes e participantes em cada grupo. A média de idade foi de: 57,30 ± 17,61 anos para o G1; 41,43 ± 12,19 anos para o G2; e 40,82 ± 20,20 anos para o G3. A média do ETS foi: 62,63 ± 14,01 para os pacientes; 91,10 ± 30,91 para os familiares; e 99,30 ± 21,60 para os profissionais. A média do ETS dos pacientes foi estatisticamente inferior à encontrada nos familiares e nos profissionais de saúde (p < 0,01). Os principais estressores para os pacientes foram: ver a família e amigos por apenas alguns minutos do dia; tubos no nariz e/ou boca; e não ter controle de si mesmo. CONCLUSÕES: A percepção sobre os principais estressores foi diferente entre os três grupos. A identificação destes fatores é importante para a implementação de medidas que possam facilitar a humanização do ambiente da UTI.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The hospital environment, especially in Intensive Care Units (ICU), due to the complexity of the assistance, as well as the physical structure, the noise, the equipments and people's movement, is considered as stress generator for the patients. The aim of this study was to identify and stratify the stressful factors for patients at an ICU, in the perspective of the own patient, relatives and health care professionals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out between June and November 2004 in a general ICU of a private hospital. The sample was composed of three groups: patients (G1), relatives (G2) and a member of the ICU health care team responsible for the included patient (G3). In order to identify and stratify the stressful factors, we used the Intensive Care Unit Environmental Stressor Scale (ICUESS). For each individual, a total stress score (TSS) was calculated from the sum of all the answers of the scale. RESULTS: Thirty individuals were included in each group. The mean age of the three groups was: 57.30 ± 17.61 years for G1; 41.43 ± 12.19 for G2; and 40.82 ± 20.20 for G3. The mean TSS was 62.63 ± 14.01 for the patients; 91.10 ± 30.91 for the relatives; and 99.30 ± 21.60 for the health care professionals. The patients' mean TSS was statistically lower than mean TSS of relatives and professionals (p < 0.01). The most stressful factors for the patients were: seeing family and friends only a few minutes a day; having tubes in their nose and/or mouth; and having no control on oneself. CONCLUSIONS: The perception of the main stressful factors was different among the three groups. The identification of these factors is important to the implementation of changes that can make the humanization of the ICU environment easier.

[Mechanical ventilation of weaning interruption]. / Desmame e interrupção da ventilação mecânica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The II Brazilian Consensus Conference on Mechanical Ventilation was published in 2000. Knowledge on the field of mechanical ventilation evolved rapidly since then, with the publication of numerous clinical studies with potential impact on the ventilatory management of critically ill patients. Moreover, the evolving concept of evidence - based medicine determined the grading of clinical recommendations according to the methodological value of the studies on which they are based. This explicit approach has broadened the understanding and adoption of clinical recommendations. For these reasons, AMIB - Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira and SBPT - Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia - decided to update the recommendations of the II Brazilian Consensus. Weaning from mechanical ventilation has been one of the updated topics. This objective was described the most important topics related to weaning from mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Systematic review of the published literature and gradation of the studies in levels of evidence, using the keywords weaning and mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Recommendations on the weaning from mechanical ventilation and how to select patients applying weaning protocols and spontaneous breathing test. CONCLUSIONS: Weaning is a very important period of mechanical ventilatory support. Weaning protocols are recommended to select patients ready to be extubated.

[Analysis of stressors for the patient in Intensive Care Unit]. / Análise de estressores para o paciente em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The hospital environment, especially in Intensive Care Units (ICU), due to the complexity of the assistance, as well as the physical structure, the noise, the equipments and people's movement, is considered as stress generator for the patients. The aim of this study was to identify and stratify the stressful factors for patients at an ICU, in the perspective of the own patient, relatives and health care professionals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out between June and November 2004 in a general ICU of a private hospital. The sample was composed of three groups: patients (G1), relatives (G2) and a member of the ICU health care team responsible for the included patient (G3). In order to identify and stratify the stressful factors, we used the Intensive Care Unit Environmental Stressor Scale (ICUESS). For each individual, a total stress score (TSS) was calculated from the sum of all the answers of the scale. RESULTS: Thirty individuals were included in each group. The mean age of the three groups was: 57.30 ± 17.61 years for G1; 41.43 ± 12.19 for G2; and 40.82 ± 20.20 for G3. The mean TSS was 62.63 ± 14.01 for the patients; 91.10 ± 30.91 for the relatives; and 99.30 ± 21.60 for the health care professionals. The patients' mean TSS was statistically lower than mean TSS of relatives and professionals (p < 0.01). The most stressful factors for the patients were: seeing family and friends only a few minutes a day; having tubes in their nose and/or mouth; and having no control on oneself. CONCLUSIONS: The perception of the main stressful factors was different among the three groups. The identification of these factors is important to the implementation of changes that can make the humanization of the ICU environment easier.

[Therapeutic limitation conducts in intensive care unit patients]. / Condutas de limitação terapêutica em pacientes internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is a growing tendency of looking for "dying with dignity", rather than to prolong death and suffering of terminal patients on intensive care units (ICU). This study aims to evaluate medical practices that suggest therapeutic limitation (TL) in patients who died in an adult ICU. METHODS: A retrospective exploratory study was carried out to evaluate medical records of patients who died in a general adult ICU of a private hospital in Salvador-BA, between January and August of 2003, after at least 24 hours from the admission. The patients were classified, in relation to their deaths, in: "not responding to cardiopulmonary resuscitation", "brain death", "decision not to resuscitate" (DNR) and "withhold or withdrawal life-support measures". RESULTS: Sixty seven patients were included, corresponding to 90.4% of the deaths occurred in this ICU during the referred period. The most of them (56.7%) were women and the patients’ mean age was 66.58 ± 17.86 years. Suggestive measures of TL were found in 59.7% of the patients, being "withhold of life-support measures" the most important (35.8%), followed by DNR (17.9%) and "withdrawal of life-support measures" (6%). The procedures most commonly omitted were use of vasoactive drugs and dialysis, while antibiotics were the most discontinued. The use of TL measures was more frequent in clinical patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest high frequencies of medical conducts suggestive of TL in a general ICU in Northeast of Brazil. Therapeutic methods that could cause discomfort or suffering to the patients, as nutrition, sedation and analgesia, were rarely omitted or discontinued.

Clorpromazina em pequenas doses por via venosa no tratamento agudo da hipertensäo grave / Parenteral low doses of chlorpromazine in acute treatment of severe hypertension

Pacientes hipertensos cuja pressäo sanguínea diastólica fosse igual ou superior a 130mmHg, após um período de repouso de 30 minutos e a administraçäo de 80 mg de furosemide intravenoso, foram estudados com a finalidade de verificar a eficácia de clorpromazina por via intravenosa em pequenas doses no controle de hipertensäo arterial grave. A resposta terapêutica foi considerada muito boa. Sonolência foi a queixa mais comum. Hipotensäo arterial foi detectada em 2 pacientes. Este procedimento terapêutico é uma opçäo para o contole agudo da hipertensäo arterial grave