Successful Use of Methylene Blue in Catecholamine-Resistant Septic Shock: A Case Report and Short Literature Review.

Despite efforts to improve treatment outcomes, mortality in septic shock remains high. In some patients, despite the use of several adrenergic drugs, features of refractory vasoplegic shock with progressive multiorgan failure are observed. We present a case report of the successful reversal of vasoplegic shock following the use of methylene blue, a selective inhibitor of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase, which prevents vasodilation in response to inflammatory cytokines. We also briefly review the literature.

Sublingual Microcirculation in Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support: A Current State of Knowledge.

Cardiogenic shock causes hypoperfusion within the microcirculation, leading to impaired oxygen delivery, cell death, and progression of multiple organ failure. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is the last line of treatment for cardiac failure. The goal of MCS is to ensure end-organ perfusion by maintaining perfusion pressure and total blood flow. However, machine-blood interactions and the nonobvious translation of global macrohemodynamics into the microcirculation suggest that the use of MCS may not necessarily be associated with improved capillary flow. With the use of hand-held vital microscopes, it is possible to assess the microcirculation at the bedside. The paucity of literature on the use of microcirculatory assessment suggests the need for an in-depth look into microcirculatory assessment within the context of MCS. The purpose of this review is to discuss the possible interactions between MCS and microcirculation, as well as to describe the research conducted in this area. Regarding sublingual microcirculation, 3 types of MCS will be discussed: venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, and microaxial flow pumps (Impella).

Correlation Between Mean Arterial Pressure and Capillary Refill Time in Patients with Septic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The initial hemodynamic goal during septic shock resuscitation is to achieve a mean arterial pressure (MAP) above 65 mm Hg, although this does not assure a normal tissue perfusion. Capillary refill time (CRT), a marker of skin blood flow, has been validated as a marker of the reperfusion process. The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between MAP and CRT in patients in septic shock. Methods: We systematically reviewed studies which reported CRT and MAP in septic shock patients. Authors of eligible studies were asked to provide necessary data for performing a meta-correlation of Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Subgroup analyses were performed, including studies of good quality and studies with higher/lower norepinephrine doses. Results: We identified 10 studies, comprising 917 patients. There were 5 studies considered to be of good quality. A meta-correlation showed a statistically significant but poor negative correlation between MAP and CRT (R = -0.158, range -0.221 to -0.093, P < .001, I2 = 0.0%). Subgroup analysis of best-quality studies gave similar results (R = -0.201, range -0.282 to -0.116, P < .001, I2 = 0.0%). In subanalysis concerning norepinephrine doses, no significant correlations were found. Conclusions: In patients with septic shock, there is poor inverse correlation between MAP and CRT. MAP > 65 mm Hg does not guarantee normalization of CRT.Registration code: PROSPERO: CRD42022355996. Registered on 5 September 2022.

Hepatic Encephalopathy Confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Patient with Unobvious Cause of Chronic Liver Disease Decompensation.

Fifty-four-year old male was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to impaired consciousness. Past medical history included alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis, esophageal varices, 2 esophageal varices banding procedures in the past, pathological obesity. Computed tomography (CT) examination of the head performed in the referring hospital was normal. At admission the CT examination of the head was repeated and showed no abnormalities. Urgent esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed presence of esophageal varices and scarification following previous banding procedures located in the middle and lower part of the esophagus. Gastrointestinal bleeding being the most likely cause of chronic liver decompensation was therefore excluded. Multimodal neurologic diagnostic assessment was negative. Finally magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head was performed. Taking into account clinical picture and the MRI result, the differential diagnosis included chronic liver encephalopathy, exacerbated acquired hepatocerebral degeneration, and acute liver encephalopathy. Due to history of umbilical hernia CT of the abdomen and pelvis was performed and showed intussusception of the ileum, confirming hepatic encephalopathy. In this case report the MRI suggested the diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy and prompted search for alternative causes of decompensation of chronic liver disease.

Hemoglobin Determination Using Pulse Co-Oximetry and Reduced-Volume Blood Gas Analysis in the Critically Ill: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Hospital-acquired anemia is common in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). A major source of iatrogenic blood loss in the ICU is the withdrawal of blood for laboratory testing. The aim of our study was to analyze the feasibility and accuracy of non-invasive spot-check pulse co-oximetry (SpHb), and a reduced-volume blood gas analysis (ABG Hb) for the determination of Hb concentration in critically ill patients. Comparisons between Hb determined with test devices and the gold standard­complete blood count (CBC)­were performed using Bland−Altman analysis and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). The limits of agreement between SpHb and CBC Hb were −2.0 [95%CI −2.3−(−1.7)] to 3.6 (95%CI 3.3−3.9) g/dL. The limits of agreement between ABG Hb and CBC Hb were −0.6 [95%CI −0.7−(−0.4)] to 2.0 (95%CI 1.9−2.2) g/dL. Spearman's coefficient and CCC between ABG Hb and CBC Hb were 0.96 (95%CI 0.95−0.97, p < 0.001) and 0.91 (95%CI 0.88−0.92), respectively. Non-invasive spot-check Hb co-oximetry is not sufficiently accurate for the monitoring of hemoglobin concentration in critically ill patients. Reduced volume arterial blood gas analysis has acceptable accuracy and could replace complete blood count for the monitoring of Hb concentration in critically ill patients, leading to a significant reduction in blood volume lost for anemia diagnostics.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Platelet-Derived Parameters in Prognostication in Neurosurgery.

Introduction. Platelets (PLT) are key mediators in thrombotic and inflammatory processes. Their activity increases with size, so the mean platelet volume (MPV) can be a potential predictor of perioperative complications. The aim of the study was to assess the suitability of platelet parameters in predicting the risk of hospital death in neurosurgery. Methods. Retrospective observation covered 452 patients undergoing surgery in the period March 2018−August 2018. High-risk patients accounted for 44% (i.e., ASA-PS class III+) and 9% (i.e., ≥1 Shoemaker criterion), respectively, and 14% of procedures were performed in the urgent mode. The preoperative platelet parameters that were assessed and analysed were: total platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW). The end point of the study was a hospital death. Results. Before discharge from the hospital, 13 patients died. The medians (IQR) PLT, MPV PDW and PCT were, respectively: 230 × 106 L−1 (182−279); 9.2 fL (8.3−10.1); 14% (12.5−16.3); and 21% (17−26). PLT, PCT and PDW were not useful in the risk assessment. MPV was lower in patients who died (9.3 vs. 8.3 fL, p < 0.01) and predicted death occurred in 76% (AUC = 0.76, 95%CI 0.72−0.80, p < 0.01). Further, after adjustment for confounders, MPV remained a significant predictor of in-hospital death (logOR[MPV] = 0.31, AUC = 0.94, 95%CI 0.92−0.96, p = 0.02). Conclusion. The reduction in the average volume of platelets is associated with a worse prognosis in neurosurgical patients.

Mortality in critically ill COVID­19 patients with fungal infections: a comprehensive systematic review and meta­analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with COVID­19 may develop concomitant viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. Such patients are at a higher risk of death, especially from a critical illness. Although much attention has been recently given to fungal infections that may have devastating consequences, data on this issue are scarce. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the impact and prevalence of fungal infections in critically ill patients with COVID 19. METHODS: We systematically searched for studies that focused on critically ill adults diagnosed with COVID­19 and a fungal coinfection. Mortality was our outcome of interest. The search was conducted within MEDLINE, Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, Embase, and Cochrane Library on January 8, 2022. RESULTS: We reviewed 38 papers covering 17 695 patients, 1182 (6.7%) of whom had an acquired fungal infection. The overall mortality in the papers retrieved for a systematic review (n = 38) varied from 29% to 100% (median [IQR], 56% [40%-77%]). In a meta­analysis (19 studies), the patients with a fungal infection were more likely to die than the controls (odds ratio [OR], 2.987; 95% CI, 2.369-3.767; P <0.001; I2 = 26.63%). Subgroup analyses showed that COVID­19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) increased mortality by 3 times (OR, 3.279; 95% CI, 2.692-3.994; P <0.001; I2 = 0%), and that COVID­19-associated candidiasis (CAC) increased mortality by 2 times (OR, 2.254; 95% CI, 1.322-3.843; I2 = 26.14%). CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill patients with COVID­ 19, CAPA is rather common and significantly increases mortality. The evidence regarding other fungal infections is weaker, with CAC occurring less frequently but also impacting mortality. Therefore, clinical awareness and screening are needed, followed by personalized antifungal therapy stewardship, which is strongly recommended in order to improve the patients' prognosis.

Usefulness of Selected Peripheral Blood Counts in Predicting Death in Patients with Severe and Critical COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Immune dysregulation and hypoxemia are two important pathophysiological problems in patients with COVID-19 that affect peripheral blood count parameters. We hypothesized that assessment of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and red blood cell distribution width index (RDW-SD) could predict death in patients with severe and critical COVID-19. METHODS: Seventy patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for COVID-19 acute respiratory failure were included in the study. RDW-SD and NLR on the day of ICU admission and peak values during the entire hospitalization were assessed. The primary endpoint was death before ICU discharge. RESULTS: Patients who died had higher NLR on admission (20.3, IQR 15.3-30.2 vs. 11.0, IQR 6.8-16.9; p = 0.003) and higher RDW-SD (48.1 fL; IQR 43.1-50.5 vs. 43.9 fL; IQR 40.9-47.3, p = 0.01) than patients discharged from the ICU. NLR and RDW-SD values on ICU admission accurately predicted death in 76% (AUC = 0.76; 95%CI 0.65-0.86; p = 0.001; cut-off > 14.38) and 72% of cases (AUC = 0.72; 95%CI 0.60-0.82; p = 0.003; cut-off > 44.7 fL), respectively. Multivariable analysis confirmed that NLR > 14.38 on the day of ICU admission was associated with a 12-fold increased risk of death (logOR 12.43; 95%CI 1.61-96.29, p = 0.02), independent of other blood counts, clinical and demographic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio determined on the day of ICU admission may be a useful biomarker predicting death in patients with severe and critical COVID-19.

Hemodynamic Monitoring by Smartphone-Preliminary Report from a Comparative Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Advanced hemodynamic monitoring supports making therapeutic decisions in critically ill patients. New technologies, including mobile health, have been introduced into the hemodynamic monitoring armamentarium. However, each monitoring method has potential limitations-content, technical and organizational. The aim of this study was to assess the comparability between measurements obtained with two arterial pressure cardiac output methods: Capstesia™ smartphone hemodynamic software (CS) and LiDCO Rapid™ uncalibrated hemodynamic monitor (LR). METHODS: The initial analysis included 16 patients in the period 06-09 2020 without limitations that could make the results obtained unreliable. Eighty pairs of cardiac output measurements were obtained. The comparability of cardiac output results obtained with both methods was assessed using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (R), the intra-class correlation (CCC) and the Bland-Altman curves analysis (B-A). RESULTS: The median (IQR) cardiac output measured with CS and LR were 4.6 (3.9-5.7) and 5.5 (4.6-7.4) L min-1, respectively. In the B-A analysis, CS cardiac output values were on average 1.2 (95% CI -2.1-4.4) L min-1 lower than LR values. The correlation between cardiac output with CS and LR was moderate (r = 0.5; p = 0.04). After adjusting for the presence of the dicrotic notch on the pulse waveform, in the group of eight patients with a visible dicrotic notch, the CS and LR results differed by only 0.1 (95% CI -0.8-1.1) L min-1, the correlation between CS and LR was close to complete (r = 0.96; p < 0.001), and the percentage error was 40%, with a CCC-CS of 0.98 (95% CI 0.95-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The CapstesiaTM smartphone software can provide an alternative method of cardiac output assessment in patients meeting arterial pressure cardiac output evaluation criteria with a clearly discernible dicrotic notch on the arterial pulse pressure waveform. It is necessary to confirm the obtained observations on a larger group of patients; however, it may potentially make objective hemodynamic measurements ubiquitous in patients with invasive arterial pressure monitoring with a clearly discernible dicrotic notch.

Postoperative Neurocognitive Disorders in Cardiac Surgery: Investigating the Role of Intraoperative Hypotension. A Systematic Review.

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders remain a challenging obstacle in patients after cardiac surgery, as they significantly contribute to postoperative morbidity and mortality. Identifying the modifiable risk factors and mechanisms for postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) and delirium (POD) would be an important step forward in preventing such adverse events and thus improving patients' outcome. Intraoperative hypotension is frequently discussed as a potential risk factor for neurocognitive decline, due to its significant impact on blood flow and tissue perfusion, however the studies exploring its association with POCD and POD are very heterogeneous and present divergent results. This review demonstrates 13 studies found after structured systematic search strategy and discusses the possible relationship between intraoperative hypotension and postoperative neuropsychiatric dysfunction.

Impact of sound levels and patient-related factors on sleep of patients in the intensive care unit: a cross-sectional cohort study.

Sleep disruption is common in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of the study was to measure sound levels during sleep-protected time in the ICU, determine sources of sound, assess the impact of sound levels and patient-related factors on duration and quality of patients' sleep. The study was performed between 2018 and 2019. A commercially available smartphone application was used to measure ambient sound levels. Sleep duration was measured using the Patient's Sleep Behaviour Observational Tool. Sleep quality was assessed using the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ). The study population comprised 18 (58%) men and 13 (42%) women. There were numerous sources of sound. The median duration of sleep was 5 (IQR 3.5-5.7) hours. The median score on the RCSQ was 49 (IQR 28-71) out of 100 points. Sound levels were negatively correlated with sleep duration. The cut-off peak sound level, above which sleep duration was shorter than mean sleep duration in the cohort, was 57.9 dB. Simple smartphone applications can be useful to estimate sound levels in the ICU. There are numerous sources of sound in the ICU. Individual units should identify and eliminate their own sources of sound. Sources of sound producing peak sound levels above 57.9 dB may lead to shorter sleep and should be eliminated from the ICU environment. The sound levels had no effect on sleep quality.

Investigating Association between Intraoperative Hypotension and Postoperative Neurocognitive Disorders in Non-Cardiac Surgery: A Comprehensive Review.

Postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive decline (deficit) (POCD) are related to a higher risk of postoperative complications and long-term disability. Pathophysiology of POD and POCD is complex, elusive and multifactorial. Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) constitutes a frequent and vital health hazard in the perioperative period. Unfortunately, there are no international recommendations in terms of diagnostics and treatment of neurocognitive complications which may arise from hypotension-related hypoperfusion. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature evaluating the association between IOH and POD/POCD in the non-cardiac setting. We have concluded that available data are quite inconsistent and there is a paucity of high-quality evidence convincing that IOH is a risk factor for POD/POCD development. Considerable heterogeneity between studies is the major limitation to set up reliable recommendations regarding intraoperative blood pressure management to protect the brain against hypotension-related hypoperfusion. Further well-designed and effectively-performed research is needed to elucidate true impact of intraoperative blood pressure variations on postoperative cognitive functioning.

Antipsychotic Drugs in Prevention of Postoperative Delirium-What Is Known in 2020?

Delirium is one of the most frequently reported neuropsychiatric complications in the perioperative period, especially in the population of elderly patients who often suffer from numerous comorbidities undergoing extensive or urgent surgery. It can affect up to 80% of patients who require hospitalization in an intensive care setting postoperatively. Delirium increases mortality, morbidity, length of hospital stay, and cost of treatment. An episode of delirium in the acute phase may lower the general quality of life and increases the risk of cognitive decline long-term. Since pharmacological treatment of delirium is not highly effective, focus of research has shifted towards developing preventive strategies. We aimed to perform a review of the topic based on the most recent literature. We conclude that, based on the available data, it seems impossible to make strong recommendations for using antipsychotic drugs in prophylaxis. Further research should answer the question what, if any, benefit patients receive from the pharmacological prevention of delirium, and which agents should be used.

Sepsis-Associated Brain Dysfunction: A Review of Current Literature.

Sepsis-associated brain dysfunction (SABD) may be the most common type of encephalopathy in critically ill patients. SABD develops in up to 70% of septic patients and represents the most frequent organ insufficiency associated with sepsis. It presents with a plethora of acute neurological features and may have several serious long-term psychiatric consequences. SABD might cause various pathological changes in the brain through numerous mechanisms. Clinical neurological examination is the basic screening method for SABD, although it may be challenging in subjects receiving with opioids and sedative agents. As electrographic seizures and periodic discharges might be present in 20% of septic patients, screening with electroencephalography (EEG) might be useful. Several imaging techniques have been suggested for non-invasive assessment of structure and function of the brain in SABD patients; however, their usefulness is rather limited. Although several experimental therapies have been postulated, at the moment, no specific treatment exists. Clinicians should focus on preventive measures and optimal management of sepsis. This review discusses epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of SABD.

Clinical practice on intra-operative fluid therapy in Poland: A point prevalence study.

Intra-operative fluid therapy (IFT) is the cornerstone of peri-operative management as it may significantly influence the treatment outcome. Therefore, we sought to evaluate nationwide clinical practice regarding IFT in Poland.A cross-sectional, multicenter, point-prevalence study was performed on April 5, 2018, in 31 hospitals in Poland. Five hundred eighty-seven adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery were investigated. The volume and type of fluids transfused with respect to the patient and procedure risk were assessed.The study group consisted of 587 subjects, aged 58 (interquartile range [IQR] 40-67) years, including 142 (24%) American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status (ASA-PS) class III+ patients. The median total fluid dose was 8.6 mL kg h (IQR 6-12.5), predominantly including balanced crystalloids (7.0 mL kg h, IQR 4.9-10.6). The dose of 0.9% saline was low (1.6 mL kg h, IQR 0.8-3.7). Synthetic colloids were used in 66 (11%) subjects. The IFT was dependent on the risk involved, while the transfused volumes were lower in ASA-PS III+ patients, as well as in high-risk procedures (P < .05).The practice of IFT is liberal but is adjusted to the preoperative risk. The consumption of synthetic colloids and 0.9% saline is low.