ECMO for drug-refractory electrical storm without a reversible trigger: a retrospective multicentric observational study.

AIMS: Drug-refractory electrical storm (ES) is a life-threatening medical emergency. We describe the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in drug-refractory ES without a reversible trigger, for which specific guideline recommendations are still lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective observational study in four Iberian centres on the indications, treatment, complications, and outcome of drug-refractory ES not associated with acute coronary syndromes, decompensated heart failure, drug toxicity, electrolyte disturbances, endocrine emergencies, concomitant acute illness with fever, or poor compliance with anti-arrhythmic drugs, requiring VA-ECMO for circulatory support. Thirty-four (6%) out of 552 patients with VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock were included [71% men; 57 (44-62) years], 65% underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation before VA-ECMO implantation, and 26% during cannulation. Left ventricular unloading during VA-ECMO was used in 8 (24%) patients: 3 (9%) with intraaortic balloon pump, 3 (9%) with LV vent, and 2 (6%) with Impella. Thirty (88%) had structural heart disease and 8 (24%) had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. The drug-refractory ES was mostly due to monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) (59%), isolated monomorphic VT (26%), polymorphic VT (9%), or VF (6%). Thirty-one (91%) required deep sedation, 44% overdrive pacing, 36% catheter ablation, and 26% acute autonomic modulation. The main complications were nosocomial infection (47%), bleeding (24%), and limb ischaemia (21%). Eighteen (53%) were weaned from VA-ECMO, and 29% had heart transplantation. Twenty-seven (79%) survived to hospital discharge (48 (33-82) days). Non-survivors were older [62 (58-67) vs. 54 (43-58); P < 0.01] and had a higher first rhythm disorder-to-ECMO interval [0 (0-2) vs. 2 (1-11) days; P = 0.02]. Seven (20%) had rehospitalization during follow-up [29 (12-48) months], with ES recurrence in 6%. CONCLUSIONS: VA-ECMO bridged drug-refractory ES without a reversible trigger with a high success rate. This required prolonged hospital stays and coordination between the ECMO centre, the electrophysiology laboratory, and the heart transplant programme.

Treatment of intracardiac thrombi using ultra-slow low-dose thrombolytic therapy: A case report.

A 57-year-old male with previously known severe primary mitral regurgitation was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to massive venous thromboembolism, associated with right ventricular dysfunction and two large mobile right atrial thrombi. Due to deterioration in his clinical condition despite standard treatment with unfractionated heparin, it was decided to use an ultra-slow low-dose thrombolysis protocol, which consisted of a 24-hour infusion of 24 mg of alteplase at a rate of 1 mg per hour, without initial bolus. The treatment was continued for 48 consecutive hours, with clinical improvement and resolution of the intracardiac thrombi and no complications. One month after ICU admission, successful mitral valve repair surgery was conducted. This case demonstrates that ultra-slow low-dose thrombolysis is a valid bailout treatment option in patients with large intracardiac thrombi refractory to the standard approach.

Sedation, analgesia, and delirium management in Portugal: a survey and point prevalence study. / Abordagem da sedação, da analgesia e do delirium em Portugal: inquérito nacional e estudo de prevalência.

OBJECTIVE: To establish current Portuguese critical care practices regarding analgesia, sedation, and delirium based on a comparison between the activities reported and daily clinical practice. METHODS: A national survey was conducted among physicians invited to report their practice toward analgesia, sedation, and delirium in intensive care units. A point prevalence study was performed to analyze daily practices. RESULTS: A total of 117 physicians answered the survey, and 192 patients were included in the point prevalence study. Survey and point prevalence studies reflect a high sedation assessment (92%; 88.5%), with the Richmond Agitated Sedation Scale being the most reported and used scale (41.7%; 58.2%) and propofol being the most reported and used medication (91.4%; 58.6%). Midazolam prescribing was reported by 68.4% of responders, but a point prevalence study revealed a use of 27.6%.Although 46.4% of responders reported oversedation, this was actually documented in 32% of the patients. The survey reports the daily assessment of pain (92%) using standardized scales (71%). The same was identified in the point prevalence study, with 91.1% of analgesia assessment mainly with the Behavioral Pain Scale. In the survey, opioids were reported as the first analgesic. In clinical practice, acetaminophen was the first option (34.6%), followed by opioids. Delirium assessment was reported by 70% of physicians but was performed in less than 10% of the patients. CONCLUSION: The results from the survey did not accurately reflect the common practices in Portuguese intensive care units, as reported in the point prevalence study. Efforts should be made specifically to avoid oversedation and to promote delirium assessment.

OBJETIVO: Determinar as práticas atuais de cuidados intensivos em Portugal quanto à analgesia, à sedação e ao delirium, com base em uma comparação entre as atividades relatadas e a prática clínica diária. MÉTODOS: Inquérito nacional em que os médicos foram convidados a relatar sua prática em relação à analgesia, à sedação e ao delirium em unidades de terapia intensiva. Para analisar a prática diária, realizou-se um estudo de prevalência pontual. RESULTADOS: Responderam ao inquérito 117 médicos, e 192 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo de prevalência pontual. O inquérito e o estudo de prevalência mostraram uma avaliação generalizada do nível de sedação (92%; 88,5%). A Escala de Agitação e Sedação de Richmond foi a mais reportada e utilizada (41,7%; 58,2%), e o propofol foi o medicamento mais reportado e utilizado (91,4%; 58,6%). A prescrição de midazolam foi relatada por 68,4% dos respondentes, mas o estudo de prevalência pontual revelou a sua utilização em 27,6%.Embora 46,4% dos respondentes tenham relatado excesso de sedação, na realidade foi documentado em 32% dos pacientes. O inquérito relatou avaliação diária de dor (92%) com uso de escalas padronizadas (71%). Identificou-se resultado semelhante no estudo de prevalência pontual, com 91,1% de avaliação da analgesia feita principalmente com a Escala Comportamental de Dor. No inquérito, os opioides foram relatados como analgésicos de primeira linha. Na prática clínica, o paracetamol foi a primeira opção (34,6%), seguido de opioides. A avaliação do delirium foi relatada por 70% dos médicos, embora tenha sido realizada em menos de 10% dos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados do inquérito não refletiram com precisão as práticas habituais nas unidades de terapia intensiva portuguesas, tal como relatado no estudo de prevalência pontual. Devem ser feitos esforços principalmente para evitar o excesso de sedação e promover a avaliação do delirium.

Abordagem da sedação, da analgesia e do delirium em Portugal: inquérito nacional e estudo de prevalência / Sedation, analgesia, and delirium management in Portugal: a survey and point prevalence study

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar as práticas atuais de cuidados intensivos em Portugal quanto à analgesia, à sedação e ao delirium, com base em uma comparação entre as atividades relatadas e a prática clínica diária. Métodos: Inquérito nacional em que os médicos foram convidados a relatar sua prática em relação à analgesia, à sedação e ao delirium em unidades de terapia intensiva. Para analisar a prática diária, realizou-se um estudo de prevalência pontual. Resultados: Responderam ao inquérito 117 médicos, e 192 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo de prevalência pontual. O inquérito e o estudo de prevalência mostraram uma avaliação generalizada do nível de sedação (92%; 88,5%). A Escala de Agitação e Sedação de Richmond foi a mais reportada e utilizada (41,7%; 58,2%), e o propofol foi o medicamento mais reportado e utilizado (91,4%; 58,6%). A prescrição de midazolam foi relatada por 68,4% dos respondentes, mas o estudo de prevalência pontual revelou a sua utilização em 27,6%. Embora 46,4% dos respondentes tenham relatado excesso de sedação, na realidade foi documentado em 32% dos pacientes. O inquérito relatou avaliação diária de dor (92%) com uso de escalas padronizadas (71%). Identificou-se resultado semelhante no estudo de prevalência pontual, com 91,1% de avaliação da analgesia feita principalmente com a Escala Comportamental de Dor. No inquérito, os opioides foram relatados como analgésicos de primeira linha. Na prática clínica, o paracetamol foi a primeira opção (34,6%), seguido de opioides. A avaliação do delirium foi relatada por 70% dos médicos, embora tenha sido realizada em menos de 10% dos pacientes. Conclusão: Os resultados do inquérito não refletiram com precisão as práticas habituais nas unidades de terapia intensiva portuguesas, tal como relatado no estudo de prevalência pontual. Devem ser feitos esforços principalmente para evitar o excesso de sedação e promover a avaliação do delirium.

ABSTRACT Objective: To establish current Portuguese critical care practices regarding analgesia, sedation, and delirium based on a comparison between the activities reported and daily clinical practice. Methods: A national survey was conducted among physicians invited to report their practice toward analgesia, sedation, and delirium in intensive care units. A point prevalence study was performed to analyze daily practices. Results: A total of 117 physicians answered the survey, and 192 patients were included in the point prevalence study. Survey and point prevalence studies reflect a high sedation assessment (92%; 88.5%), with the Richmond Agitated Sedation Scale being the most reported and used scale (41.7%; 58.2%) and propofol being the most reported and used medication (91.4%; 58.6%). Midazolam prescribing was reported by 68.4% of responders, but a point prevalence study revealed a use of 27.6%. Although 46.4% of responders reported oversedation, this was actually documented in 32% of the patients. The survey reports the daily assessment of pain (92%) using standardized scales (71%). The same was identified in the point prevalence study, with 91.1% of analgesia assessment mainly with the Behavioral Pain Scale. In the survey, opioids were reported as the first analgesic. In clinical practice, acetaminophen was the first option (34.6%), followed by opioids. Delirium assessment was reported by 70% of physicians but was performed in less than 10% of the patients. Conclusion: The results from the survey did not accurately reflect the common practices in Portuguese intensive care units, as reported in the point prevalence study. Efforts should be made specifically to avoid oversedation and to promote delirium assessment.

Analgesia regional em cuidados intensivos / Regional analgesia in intensive care / Analgesia regional en cuidados intensivos

JUSTIFICATIVAS E OBJETIVOS: A analgesia regional desempenha um papel importante na abordagem multimodal da dor no doente crítico e permite amenizar o desconforto do doente e reduzir os estresses fisiológico e psicológico associados. Ao diminuir as doses de opioides sistêmicos, reduz alguns dos seus efeitos colaterais, como a síndrome de abstinência, possíveis alterações psicológicas e disfunção gastrintestinal. Apesar desses benefícios, seu uso é controverso, uma vez que os doentes em unidades de cuidados intensivos apresentam frequentemente contraindicações, como coagulopatia, instabilidade hemodinâmica e dificuldade na avaliação neurológica e na execução da técnica regional. CONTEÚDO: Os autores apresentam uma revisão sobre analgesia regional em cuidados intensivos, com foco nas principais vantagens e limitações de seu uso no doente crítico, e descrevem as técnicas regionais mais usadas e a sua aplicabilidade nesse contexto.

JUSTIFICATIONS AND OBJECTIVES: regional analgesia plays an important role in multimodal pain management in critically ill patients, minimizing patient discomfort and reducing the associated physiological and psychological stress. Lower doses of systemic opioids reduce some of its side effects, such as withdrawal syndrome, possible psychological changes, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Despite these benefits, its use is controversial, as patients in intensive care units often have contraindications, such as coagulopathy, hemodynamic instability, and difficulty in neurological assessment and implementation of regional technique. CONTENT: The authors present a review of regional analgesia in intensive care, focusing on the main advantages and limitations of its use in critically ill patients, and describe the most commonly used regional techniques and its applicability.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: La analgesia regional desempeña un rol importante en el abordaje multimodal del dolor en el enfermo crítico y permite amenizar la incomodidad del enfermo y reducir los estréses fisiológico y psicológico asociados. Al disminuir las dosis de opioides sistémicos, se reducen algunos de sus efectos colaterales, como el síndrome de abstinencia, posibles alteraciones psicológicas y disfunción gastrointestinal. A pesar de esos beneficios, su uso es controversial, pues los enfermos en unidades de cuidados intensivos tienen a menudo contraindicaciones, como la coagulopatía, la inestabilidad hemodinámica y la dificultad en la evaluación neurológica y en la ejecución de la técnica regional. CONTENIDO: Los autores presentan aquí una revisión sobre la analgesia regional en cuidados intensivos, concentrándose en las principales ventajas y limitaciones de su uso en el enfermo crítico, y describen las técnicas regionales más usadas y su aplicabilidad en ese contexto.

Regional analgesia in intensive care.

UNLABELLED: JUSTIFICATIONS AND OBJECTIVES: regional analgesia plays an important role in multimodal pain management in critically ill patients, minimizing patient discomfort and reducing the associated physiological and psychological stress. Lower doses of systemic opioids reduce some of its side effects, such as withdrawal syndrome, possible psychological changes, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Despite these benefits, its use is controversial, as patients in intensive care units often have contraindications, such as coagulopathy, hemodynamic instability, and difficulty in neurological assessment and implementation of regional technique. CONTENT: The authors present a review of regional analgesia in intensive care, focusing on the main advantages and limitations of its use in critically ill patients, and describe the most commonly used regional techniques and its applicability.

Hydroxocobalamin treatment of acute cyanide poisoning with a jewellery-cleaning solution.

Acute cyanide poisoning by ingestion is often severe and lethal among jewellery industry workers. Clinical experience with hydroxocobalamin alone in severe acute cyanide poisoning by ingestion remains limited. This case concerns a 50-year-old goldsmith who tried suicide by ingestion of a jewellery cleaner solution containing approximately 1.2 g of potassium cyanide. He presented unconsciousness, with severe lactic acidosis and arteriolisation of venous blood gases. Following hydroxocobalamin treatment, neurologic and metabolic disorders rapidly improved. He was discharged home 4 days later, without neurological sequelae. The case reinforces the safety and effectiveness of hydroxocobalamin in acute cyanide poisoning by ingestion.

Mortalidade e o tempo de internação em uma unidade de terapia intensiva cirúrgica / Mortality and length of stay in a surgical intensive care unit

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Em cuidados intensivos os resultados podem ser relacionados aos índices de mortalidade ou morbidade. Quando avaliada de forma isolada, a mortalidade é uma medida insuficiente do resultado na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI); o tempo de internação pode ser uma medida indireta do resultado relacionado com a morbidade. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a incidência e os fatores preditivos para mortalidade e tempo de internação dos pacientes admitidos numa UTI cirúrgica. MÉTODO: Participaram deste estudo prospectivo, realizado, entre abril e julho de 2004, todos os 185 pacientes submetidos a procedimentos programados ou de emergência, admitidos numa UTI cirúrgica. Foram registrados os seguintes parâmetros: idade, sexo, altura e peso, temperatura central estado físico segundo a ASA, tipo de intervenção cirúrgica, porte cirúrgico, técnica anestésica, quantidade e qualidade de fluídos administrados durante a anestesia, monitorização da temperatura ou de técnica de aquecimento corporal peri-operatório, duração da anestesia, tempo de permanência na UTI e no hospital e escore SAPS II. RESULTADOS: O tempo médio de internação na UTI foi de 4,09 ± 10,23 dias. Fatores de risco significativos para permanências mais prolongadas na UTI foram o valor do escore SAPS II, estado físico ASA, quantidade administrada, durante a intervenção cirúrgica, de colóides, unidades de plasma fresco e unidades de concentrados de hemáceas. Quatorze pacientes (7,60 por cento) morreram durante a internação na UTI e 29 (15,70 por cento) morreram durante a internação hospitalar. Fatores de risco independentes de mortalidade com diferença estatística significativa foram intervenções cirúrgicas de emergência, de grande porte, escores altos SAPS II, permanência prolongada na UTI e no hospital. Fatores protetores com diferença estatística significativa para risco de morte hospitalar foram baixo peso corporal e baixo índice de massa corporal (IMC). CONCLUSÕES: As internações prolongadas em UTI são mais freqüentes nos pacientes mais graves à admissão e estão associadas às maiores mortalidades hospitalares. A mortalidade hospitalar é também mais freqüente em pacientes submetidos a intervenções cirúrgicas de emergência ou de grande porte.

[Mortality and length of stay in a surgical intensive care unit.]. / Mortalidade e o tempo de internação em uma unidade de terapia intensiva cirúrgica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Outcome in intensive care can be categorized as mortality related or morbidity related. Mortality is an insufficient measure of ICU outcome when measured alone and length of stay may be seen as an indirect measure of morbidity related outcome. The aim of the present study was to estimate the incidence and predictive factors for intrahospitalar outcome measured by mortality and LOS in patients admitted to a surgical ICU. METHODS: In this prospective study all 185 patients, who underwent scheduled or emergency surgery admitted to a surgical ICU in a large tertiary university medical center performed during April and July 2004, were eligible to the study. The following variables were recorded: age, sex, body weight and height, core temperature (Tc), ASA physical status, emergency or scheduled surgery, magnitude of surgical procedure, anesthesia technique, amount of fluids during anesthesia, use of temperature monitoring and warming techniques, duration of the anesthesia, length of stay in ICU and in the hospital and SAPS II score. RESULTS: The mean length of stay in the ICU was 4.09 +/- 10.23 days. Significant risk factors for staying longer in ICU were SAPS II, ASA physical status, amount of colloids, fresh frozen plasma units and packed erythrocytes units used during surgery. Fourteen (7.60%) patients died in ICU and 29 (15.70%) died during their hospitalization. Statistically significant independent risk factors for mortality were emergency surgery, major surgery, high SAPS II scores, longer stay in ICU and in the hospital. Statistically significant protective factors against the probability of dying in the hospital were low body weight and low BMI. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, prolonged ICU stay is more frequent in more severely ill patients at admission and it is associated with higher hospital mortality. Hospital mortality is also more frequent in patients submitted to emergent and major surgery.

Náuseas e vômitos no pós-operatório: uma revisão do "pequeno-grande" problema / Postoperative nausea and vomiting: a review of the minor-major problem

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Apesar da investigação contínua e do desenvolvimento de novos fármacos e técnicas, as náuseas e vômitos no pós-operatório (NVPO) são freqüentes e podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de complicações com conseqüente aumento dos custos hospitalares e dos recursos humanos. Os objetivos deste artigo são a revisão dos mecanismos fisiológicos, dos fatores de risco e das medidas terapêuticas disponíveis para o manuseio de NVPO. CONTEUDO: Várias são as estratégias de manuseio de NVPO sugeridas neste artigo, destacando-se, no entanto, as linhas de orientação emitidas por Gan em 2003. Estas constituem a contribuição mais recente para a estratificação de risco, prevenção e tratamento dos pacientes com NVPO. CONCLUSÕES: Embora o manuseio de NVPO tenha melhorado nos últimos anos, estes ainda ocorrem freqüentemente em grupos de risco elevado. A estratégia atual para a prevenção e manuseio de NVPO permanece por estabelecer e as linhas de orientação de Gan deverão ser adaptadas a cada população de pacientes e à instituição hospitalar.

Hypothermia in a surgical intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Inadvertent hypothermia is not uncommon in the immediate postoperative period and it is associated with impairment and abnormalities in various organs and systems that can lead to adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence, the predictive factors and outcome of core hypothermia on admission to a surgical ICU. METHODS: All consecutive 185 adult patients who underwent scheduled or emergency noncardiac surgery admitted to a surgical ICU between April and July 2004 were admitted to the study. Tympanic membrane core temperature (Tc) was measured before surgery, on arrival at ICU and every two hours until 6 hours after admission. The following variables were also recorded: age, sex, body weight and height, ASA physical status, type of surgery, magnitude of surgical procedure, anesthesia technique, amount of intravenous fluids administered during anesthesia, use of temperature monitoring and warming techniques, duration of the anesthesia, ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay and SAPS II score. Patients were classified as either hypothermic (Tc < or = 35 degrees C) or normothermic (Tc> 35 degrees C). Univariate analysis and multiple regression binary logistic with an odds ratio (OR) and its 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) were used to compare the two groups of patients and assess the relationship between each clinical predictor and hypothermia. Outcome measured as ICU length of stay and mortality was also assessed. RESULTS: Prevalence of hypothermia on ICU admission was 57.8%. In univariate analysis temperature monitoring, use of warming techniques and higher previous body temperature were significant protective factors against core hypothermia. In this analysis independent predictors of hypothermia on admission to ICU were: magnitude of surgery, use of general anesthesia or combined epidural and general anesthesia, total intravenous crystalloids administrated and total packed erythrocytes administrated, anesthesia longer than 3 hours and SAPS II scores. In multiple logistic regression analysis significant predictors of hypothermia on admission to the ICU were magnitude of surgery (OR 3.9, 95% CI, 1.4-10.6, p = 0.008 for major surgery; OR 3.6, 95% CI, 1.5-9.0, p = 0.005 for medium surgery), intravenous administration of crystalloids (in litres) (OR 1.4, 95% CI, 1.1-1.7, p = 0.012) and SAPS score (OR 1.0, 95% CI 1.0-1.7, p = 0.014); higher previous temperature in ward was a significant protective factor (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.7, p = 0.003). Hypothermia was neither a risk factor for hospital mortality nor a predictive factor for staying longer in ICU. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of patient hypothermia on ICU arrival was high. Hypothermia at time of admission to the ICU was not an independent factor for mortality or for staying longer in ICU.

[Postoperative nausea and vomiting: a review of the 'minor-major' problem.]. / Náuseas e vômitos no pós-operatório: uma revisão do 'pequeno-grande' problema.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Notwithstanding continuous investigations and the development of new drugs and techniques, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are frequent and may contribute to the development of complications, thus increasing hospital and human costs. This article aimed at reviewing physiological mechanisms, risk factors and therapeutic approaches available to manage PONV. CONTENTS: Several strategies to manage PONV are suggested in this article, but stress is given to guidelines published by Gan in 2003. They are the most recent contribution for risk stratification, prevention and treatment of PONV patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although the management of PONV has improved in recent years, it is still common among high-risk patients. Current strategy to prevent and treat PONV is not yet established and Gan guidelines should be adapted to each population and institution.