Determinants of death in critically ill COVID-19 patients during the first wave of COVID-19: a multicenter study in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical outcomes and factors associated with mortality, focusing on secondary infections, in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in three Brazilian hospitals during the first pandemic wave. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study involving adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to one of the participating ICUs between March and August of 2020. We analyzed clinical features, comorbidities, source of SARS-CoV-2 infection, laboratory data, microbiology data, complications, and causes of death. We assessed factors associated with in-hospital mortality using logistic regression models. RESULTS: We included 645 patients with a mean age of 61.4 years. Of those, 387 (60.0%) were male, 12.9% (83/643) had undergone solid organ transplant, and almost 10% (59/641) had nosocomial COVID-19 infection. During ICU stay, 359/644 patients (55.7%) required invasive mechanical ventilation, 225 (34.9%) needed renal replacement therapy, 337 (52.2%) received vasopressors, and 216 (33.5%) had hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), mainly caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. HAIs were independently associated with a higher risk of death. The major causes of death were refractory shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome but not ARDS, as previously reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, most of our cohort required invasive mechanical ventilation and almost one third had HAIs, which were independently associated with a higher risk of death. Other factors related to death were Charlson Comorbidity Index, SOFA score at admission, and clinical complications during ICU stay. Nosocomial COVID-19 infection was not associated with death. The main immediate causes of death were refractory shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Determinants of death in critically ill COVID-19 patients during the first wave of COVID-19: a multicenter study in Brazil / Determinantes de mortalidade em pacientes com COVID-19 em estado crítico durante a primeira onda da doença: estudo multicêntrico no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate clinical outcomes and factors associated with mortality, focusing on secondary infections, in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in three Brazilian hospitals during the first pandemic wave. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study involving adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to one of the participating ICUs between March and August of 2020. We analyzed clinical features, comorbidities, source of SARS-CoV-2 infection, laboratory data, microbiology data, complications, and causes of death. We assessed factors associated with in-hospital mortality using logistic regression models. Results: We included 645 patients with a mean age of 61.4 years. Of those, 387 (60.0%) were male, 12.9% (83/643) had undergone solid organ transplant, and almost 10% (59/641) had nosocomial COVID-19 infection. During ICU stay, 359/644 patients (55.7%) required invasive mechanical ventilation, 225 (34.9%) needed renal replacement therapy, 337 (52.2%) received vasopressors, and 216 (33.5%) had hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), mainly caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. HAIs were independently associated with a higher risk of death. The major causes of death were refractory shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome but not ARDS, as previously reported in the literature. Conclusions: In this study, most of our cohort required invasive mechanical ventilation and almost one third had HAIs, which were independently associated with a higher risk of death. Other factors related to death were Charlson Comorbidity Index, SOFA score at admission, and clinical complications during ICU stay. Nosocomial COVID-19 infection was not associated with death. The main immediate causes of death were refractory shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar desfechos clínicos e fatores associados à mortalidade, com foco em infecções secundárias, em pacientes com COVID-19 em estado crítico em três hospitais brasileiros durante a primeira onda da pandemia. Métodos: Estudo observacional retrospectivo envolvendo pacientes adultos com COVID-19 internados nas UTIs participantes entre março e agosto de 2020. Analisaram-se características clínicas, comorbidades, fonte de infecção por SARS-CoV-2, dados laboratoriais, dados microbiológicos, complicações e causas de óbito. Os fatores associados à mortalidade hospitalar foram avaliados por meio de modelos de regressão logística. Resultados: Foram incluídos 645 pacientes com média de idade de 61,4 anos. Desses, 387 (60,0%) eram do sexo masculino, 12,9% (83/643) haviam sido submetidos a transplante de órgão sólido, e quase 10% (59/641) apresentaram infecção nosocomial por COVID-19. Durante a internação na UTI, 359/644 pacientes (55,7%) necessitaram de ventilação mecânica invasiva, 225 (34,9%) necessitaram de terapia renal substitutiva, 337 (52,2%) receberam vasopressores, e 216 (33,5%) apresentaram infecções hospitalares (IHs), causadas principalmente por bactérias Gram-negativas multirresistentes. As IHs associaram-se de forma independente a maior risco de óbito. As principais causas de óbito foram choque refratário e síndrome de disfunção de múltiplos órgãos, mas não SDRA, como relatado anteriormente na literatura. Conclusões: Neste estudo, a maior parte de nossa coorte necessitou de ventilação mecânica invasiva, e quase um terço apresentou IHs, que se associaram de forma independente a maior risco de óbito. Outros fatores relacionados à mortalidade foram Índice de Comorbidade de Charlson, SOFA na admissão e complicações clínicas durante a internação na UTI. A infecção nosocomial por COVID-19 não se associou à mortalidade. As principais causas imediatas de óbito foram choque refratário e síndrome de disfunção de múltiplos órgãos.

Practices for promoting sleep in intensive care units in Brazil: a national survey. / Práticas de promoção de sono em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil: um inquérito nacional.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a national survey of intensive care professionals to identify the practices for promoting sleep in adult intensive care units in Brazil and describe the professionals' perceptions of the importance of sleep for patients. METHODS: An electronic questionnaire was distributed by the clinical research cooperation network of the Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira and by the Brazilian Research in Intensive Care Network to physicians and nurses registered with the association. The questionnaire evaluated the profile of the respondents, the profile of their intensive care units, whether protocols for promoting sleep were present, the pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures typically employed in the unit, and the professionals' perceptions regarding sleep in critically ill patients. RESULTS: A total of 118 questionnaires were evaluated. The Southeast region of the country was the most represented (50 questionnaires, 42.4%). The majority of units had a clinical-surgical profile (93 questionnaires; 78.8%), and 26 had a continuous visitation policy (22.0%). Only 18 intensive care units (15.3%) reported having protocols for promoting sleep. The most cited measure for sleep promotion was reducing light during the night (95 questionnaires; 80.5%), which was more often performed in private intensive care units. Almost all of the responders (99%) believed that poor-quality sleep has a negative impact on patient recovery. CONCLUSION: The responses to this Brazilian survey revealed that few intensive care units had a program for promoting sleep, although almost all participants recognized the importance of sleep in patient recovery.

Práticas de promoção de sono em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil: um inquérito nacional / Practices for promoting sleep in intensive care units in Brazil: a national survey

RESUMO Objetivo: Realizar um inquérito nacional com profissionais de terapia intensiva para determinar as práticas de promoção do sono em unidades de terapia intensiva para adultos no Brasil, e descrever suas percepções sobre a importância do sono para os pacientes. Métodos: Um questionário eletrônico foi distribuído pela rede de cooperação em pesquisa clínica da Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira aos médicos e enfermeiros registrados na associação e pela Brazilian Research in Intensive Care Network. O questionário avaliou o perfil dos respondedores, de suas unidades de terapia intensiva, se estavam presentes protocolos de promoção do sono, quais as medidas farmacológicas e não farmacológicas usualmente empregadas na unidade e a percepção dos profissionais em relação ao sono nos pacientes críticos. Resultados: Foram avaliados 118 questionários. A Região Sudeste foi a mais representada (50 questionários; 42,4%). A maioria apresentava perfil clínico-cirúrgico (93 questionários; 78,8%) e 26 possuíam política de visita contínua (22,0%). Apenas 18 unidades de terapia intensiva (15,3%) referiram apresentar protocolos de promoção do sono. A medida mais citada para promoção de sono foi a redução da luminosidade no período noturno (95 questionários; 80,5%), sendo mais executada em unidades de terapia intensiva privadas. Quase a totalidade dos respondedores (99%) acreditou que o sono com qualidade ruim tinha impacto negativo na recuperação do paciente. Conclusão: Nas respostas deste inquérito brasileiro, poucas unidades apresentaram um programa de promoção de sono na unidade de terapia intensiva, embora a quase totalidade dos participantes reconhecesse a importância do sono na recuperação do paciente.

ABSTRACT Objective: To conduct a national survey of intensive care professionals to identify the practices for promoting sleep in adult intensive care units in Brazil and describe the professionals' perceptions of the importance of sleep for patients. Methods: An electronic questionnaire was distributed by the clinical research cooperation network of the Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira and by the Brazilian Research in Intensive Care Network to physicians and nurses registered with the association. The questionnaire evaluated the profile of the respondents, the profile of their intensive care units, whether protocols for promoting sleep were present, the pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures typically employed in the unit, and the professionals' perceptions regarding sleep in critically ill patients. Results: A total of 118 questionnaires were evaluated. The Southeast region of the country was the most represented (50 questionnaires, 42.4%). The majority of units had a clinical-surgical profile (93 questionnaires; 78.8%), and 26 had a continuous visitation policy (22.0%). Only 18 intensive care units (15.3%) reported having protocols for promoting sleep. The most cited measure for sleep promotion was reducing light during the night (95 questionnaires; 80.5%), which was more often performed in private intensive care units. Almost all of the responders (99%) believed that poor-quality sleep has a negative impact on patient recovery. Conclusion: The responses to this Brazilian survey revealed that few intensive care units had a program for promoting sleep, although almost all participants recognized the importance of sleep in patient recovery.

Políticas de visitação em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil: um levantamento multicêntrico / Intensive care unit visitation policies in Brazil: a multicenter survey

Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a política de visitação predominante nas unidades de terapia intensiva e quais comodidades proporcionadas aos visitantes. Métodos: Foram enviados 800 convites a endereços de e-mail de médicos e enfermeiros intensivistas listados nos grupos de pesquisa da Rede da Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira e da Rede Brasileira de Pesquisa em Terapia Intensiva. A mensagem por e-mail continha um link para um questionário de 33 itens a respeito do perfil de suas respectivas unidades de terapia intensiva. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo os questionários de 162 unidades de terapia intensiva localizadas em todas as regiões do país, mas foram predominantes as das Regiões Sudeste (58%) e Sul (16%). Apenas 2,6% das unidades de terapia intensiva relataram ter políticas liberais de visitação, enquanto 45,1% das unidades de terapia intensiva possibilitavam dois períodos diários de visitação e 69,1% permitiam de 31 a 60 minutos de visita por período. Em situações especiais, como casos de fim de vida, 98,7% delas permitiam visitas em horários flexíveis. Cerca de metade das unidades de terapia intensiva (50,8%) não oferecia qualquer comodidade aos visitantes. Apenas 46,9% das unidades de terapia intensiva tinham uma sala de reunião com familiares, e 37% não dispunham de uma sala de espera. ...

Objective: This study aimed to determine which visitation policy was the most predominant in Brazilian intensive care units and what amenities were provided to visitors. Methods: Eight hundred invitations were sent to the e-mail addresses of intensivist physicians and nurses who were listed in the research groups of the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Network and the Brazilian Research in Intensive Care Network. The e-mail contained a link to a 33-item questionnaire about the profile of their intensive care unit. Results: One hundred sixty-two questionnaires from intensive care units located in all regions of the country, but predominantly in the Southeast and South (58% and 16%), were included in the study. Only 2.6% of the intensive care units reported having liberal visitation policies, while 45.1% of the intensive care units allowed 2 visitation periods and 69.1% allowed 31-60 minutes of visitation per period. In special situations, such as end-of-life cases, 98.7% of them allowed flexible visitation. About half of them (50.8%) did not offer any bedside amenities for visitors. Only 46.9% of the intensive care units had a family meeting room, and 37% did not have a waiting room. Conclusion: Restrictive visitation policies are predominant in Brazilian intensive care units, with most of them allowing just two periods of visitation per day. There is also a lack of amenities for visitors. .

Intensive care unit visitation policies in Brazil: a multicenter survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine which visitation policy was the most predominant in Brazilian intensive care units and what amenities were provided to visitors. METHODS: Eight hundred invitations were sent to the e-mail addresses of intensivist physicians and nurses who were listed in the research groups of the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Network and the Brazilian Research in Intensive Care Network. The e-mail contained a link to a 33-item questionnaire about the profile of their intensive care unit. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-two questionnaires from intensive care units located in all regions of the country, but predominantly in the Southeast and South (58% and 16%), were included in the study. Only 2.6% of the intensive care units reported having liberal visitation policies, while 45.1% of the intensive care units allowed 2 visitation periods and 69.1% allowed 31-60 minutes of visitation per period. In special situations, such as end-of-life cases, 98.7% of them allowed flexible visitation. About half of them (50.8%) did not offer any bedside amenities for visitors. Only 46.9% of the intensive care units had a family meeting room, and 37% did not have a waiting room. CONCLUSION: Restrictive visitation policies are predominant in Brazilian intensive care units, with most of them allowing just two periods of visitation per day. There is also a lack of amenities for visitors.

Avaliação da responsividade a volume em pacientes sob ventilação espontânea: [revisão] / Assessment of fluid responsiveness in patients under spontaneous breathing activity~: [review]

A avaliação da responsividade a volume no paciente em ventilação espontânea representa um desafio para o intensivista. A maior parte dos conhecimentos adquiridos sobre interação coração-pulmão e o cálculo de índices dinâmicos de responsividade a fluidos podem não ser adequados para essa avaliação. Historicamente, as variáveis mais frequentemente utilizadas para guiar a responsividade a volume têm sido as medidas estáticas de pré-carga. Mais recentemente, índices dinâmicos obtidos por dispositivos menos invasivos têm sido mais usados, apesar de sua eficácia para esse fim em pacientes em ventilação espontânea ainda não ter sido adequadamente estabelecida. O objetivo deste estudo foi revisar as principais evidências sobre a avaliação da responsividade a volume nos pacientes em ventilação espontânea. A pesquisa na literatura demonstrou escassez nas evidências para utilização de medidas estáticas da volemia como as pressões de enchimento e o volume diastólico final dos ventrículos. Medidas dinâmicas como variação da pressão de pulso e outros índices também não foram adequadamente testados durante a ventilação espontânea. Resultados favoráveis foram obtidos com a variação dinâmica da pressão venosa central e com parâmetros dinâmicos que utilizam o ecocardiograma transtorácico ou doppler esofágico associado à elevação passiva dos membros inferiores. Conclui-se que embora a variação da pressão venosa central e variáveis obtidas com o ecocardiograma transtorácico ou doppler esofágico possam ser úteis na avaliação da responsividade a volume em pacientes sob ventilação espontânea, definitivamente são necessários mais estudos neste grupo de pacientes.

To assess fluid responsiveness in patients under spontaneous breathing activity ventilation remains a challenge for intensive care physicians. Much of the knowledge on heart-lung interactions and dynamic indexes of fluid responsiveness may not be useful for these patients. Historically, the most frequently used variables to guide fluid responsiveness on this population have been the static preload indexes. However, more recently, dynamic indexes from less invasive devices are being often used, even though their usefulness on spontaneously-breathing subjects remains controversial. The purpose of this article was to review evidences on the assessment of fluid responsiveness in patients under spontaneous ventilation. A search in literature showed poor evidence for use of static variables, such as filling pressures and ventricular end-diastolic volumes. Dynamic indexes, such as pulse pressure variation and other indexes had not been appropriately tested during spontaneous ventilation. Favorable results were found with central venous pressure variation and with transthoracic echocardiography or transesophageal Doppler dynamic indexes, especially when associated to passive lower limb elevation. We conclude that although central venous pressure variation and echocardiography variables could aid bedside clinicians in assessing fluid responsiveness during spontaneous ventilation, more studies on this subject are definitely required.

Assessment of fluid responsiveness in patients under spontaneous breathing activity. / Avaliação da responsividade a volume em pacientes sob ventilação espontânea.

To assess fluid responsiveness in patients under spontaneous breathing activity ventilation remains a challenge for intensive care physicians. Much of the knowledge on heart-lung interactions and dynamic indexes of fluid responsiveness may not be useful for these patients. Historically, the most frequently used variables to guide fluid responsiveness on this population have been the static preload indexes. However, more recently, dynamic indexes from less invasive devices are being often used, even though their usefulness on spontaneously-breathing subjects remains controversial. The purpose of this article was to review evidences on the assessment of fluid responsiveness in patients under spontaneous ventilation. A search in literature showed poor evidence for use of static variables, such as filling pressures and ventricular end-diastolic volumes. Dynamic indexes, such as pulse pressure variation and other indexes had not been appropriately tested during spontaneous ventilation. Favorable results were found with central venous pressure variation and with transthoracic echocardiography or transesophageal Doppler dynamic indexes, especially when associated to passive lower limb elevation. We conclude that although central venous pressure variation and echocardiography variables could aid bedside clinicians in assessing fluid responsiveness during spontaneous ventilation, more studies on this subject are definitely required.