Relationship between mortality and first-day events index from routinely gathered physiological variables in ICU patients

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the degree and duration of alterations in physiological variables routinely gathered by intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring systems during the first day of admission to the ICU, together with a few additional routinely recorded data, yield information similar to that obtained by traditional mortality prediction systems. Design: A prospective observational multicenter study (EURICUS II) was carried out. Setting: Fifty-five European ICUs. Patients: A total of 17,598 consecutive patients admitted to the ICU over a 10-month period. Interventions: None. Main variables of interest: Hourly data were manually gathered on alterations or "events" in systolic blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation throughout ICU stay to construct an events index and mortality prediction models. Results: The mean first-day events index was 6.37±10.47 points, and was significantly associated to mortality (p: <0.001), with a discrimination capacity for hospital mortality of 0.666 (area under the ROC curve). A second index included this first-day events index, age, pre-admission location, and the Glasgow coma score. A model constructed with this second index plus diagnosis upon admission was validated by using the Jackknife method (Hosmer-Lemeshow,H: =13.8554, insignificant); the area under ROC curve was 0.818. Conclusions: A prognostic index with performance very similar to that of habitual systems can be constructed from routine ICU data with only a few patient characteristics. These results may serve as a guide for the possible automated construction of ICU prognostic indexes (AU)

Objetivo: Comprobar si el grado y duración de las alteraciones en las variables fisiológicas recogidas en la monitorización rutinaria en UCI durante el primer día de estancia, junto con pocos datos adicionales, proporcionan información similar a la obtenida con los sistemas tradicionales de predicción de mortalidad. Diseño: Estudio observacional, prospectivo y multicéntrico (EURICUS-II). Ámbito: 55 UCIs de Europa. Pacientes: 17.598 pacientes consecutivos, ingresados durante 10 meses. Intervenciones: ninguna. Variables de interés principales: se recogieron manualmente datos horarios sobre alteraciones o "eventos" en la presión arterial sistólica, frecuencia cardiaca y saturación de oxígeno, para construir un índice basado en estos eventos y un modelo de predicción de mortalidad. Resultados: El índice de eventos el primer día fue 6,37±10,47 puntos y se asoció significativamente con la mortalidad (p<0,001), con una capacidad de discriminación (área bajo la curva ROC) para la mortalidad de 0.666. Se construyó un segundo índice que incluye este índice de eventos en el primer día, la edad, procedencia del ingreso y puntuación de la Escala de Coma de Glasgow. Un modelo construido con este segundo índice más el diagnóstico fue validado mediante el método jackknife (Hosmer-Lemeshow, H=13.8554, no significativo), con un área bajo la curva ROC de 0,818. Conclusiones: Se puede construir un índice pronóstico con rendimiento similar al de los sistemas habituales a partir de los datos de monitorización de los pacientes en la UCI junto a escasas características del paciente. Nuestros resultados pueden servir de guía para la posible construcción automatizada de índices pronósticos (AU)

Relationship between mortality and first-day events index from routinely gathered physiological variables in ICU patients.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the degree and duration of alterations in physiological variables routinely gathered by intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring systems during the first day of admission to the ICU, together with a few additional routinely recorded data, yield information similar to that obtained by traditional mortality prediction systems. DESIGN: A prospective observational multicenter study (EURICUS II) was carried out. SETTING: Fifty-five European ICUs. PATIENTS: A total of 17,598 consecutive patients admitted to the ICU over a 10-month period. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Hourly data were manually gathered on alterations or "events" in systolic blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation throughout ICU stay to construct an events index and mortality prediction models. RESULTS: The mean first-day events index was 6.37±10.47 points, and was significantly associated to mortality (p<0.001), with a discrimination capacity for hospital mortality of 0.666 (area under the ROC curve). A second index included this first-day events index, age, pre-admission location, and the Glasgow coma score. A model constructed with this second index plus diagnosis upon admission was validated by using the Jackknife method (Hosmer-Lemeshow, H=13.8554, insignificant); the area under ROC curve was 0.818. CONCLUSIONS: A prognostic index with performance very similar to that of habitual systems can be constructed from routine ICU data with only a few patient characteristics. These results may serve as a guide for the possible automated construction of ICU prognostic indexes.

Realidad virtual y simulación en el entrenamiento de los estudiantes de medicina / Virtual reality and simulation in the training of medical students

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[Ulysses network: an approach to integral post-ICU treatment of patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome]. / Red Ulises: aproximación al tratamiento integral post-UCI de los pacientes que han padecido fallo multiorgánico grave.

The concept of continuity of care by intensivists as an element of quality control in the medical care of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients surviving multiple organ dysfunction syndrome has led to a rethinking of the ICU model in recent years. We discuss the rationale to design and implement a hospital-based, prospective, randomized, multicenter Intervention/Control study in order to estimate the impact of an interdisciplinary intervention during the post-ICU recovery phase on medium-term medical outcomes in ICU patients with multiple organ dysfunction.

Red Ulises: aproximación al tratamiento integral post-UCI de los pacientes que han padecido fallo multiorgánico grave / Ulises network: an approach to integral post-ICU treatment of patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

La incorporación del concepto «continuidad asistencial» como elemento de calidad en los procesos asistenciales en pacientes de Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) que sobreviven al fallo multiorgánico grave lleva a replantear el modelo de UCI de los últimos años. En este artículo se argumentan las bases que llevaron a plantear un estudio multicéntrico de base hospitalaria, prospectivo, aleatorizado tipo «intervención»/«control», con el fin de observar el impacto de una intervención interdisciplinar sobre los resultados asistenciales, a medio plazo, en los pacientes de UCI afectos de un fracaso multiorgánico durante la fase de recuperación post-UCI

The concept of continuity of care by intensivists as an element of quality control in the medical care of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients surviving multiple organ dysfunction syndrome has led to a rethinking of the ICU model in recent years. We discuss the rationale to design and implement a hospital-based, prospective, randomized, multicenter Intervention/Control study in order to estimate the impact of an interdisciplinary intervention during the post-ICU recovery phase on medium-term medical outcomes in ICU patients with multiple organ dysfunction

Incidencia y factores explicativos de las caídas en ancianos que viven en la comunidad / Rate of falls and their risk factors in elderly individuals living in the community

Introducción: las caídas en los ancianos son un importante problema de salud que se puede prevenir mediante la intervención multifactorial sobre los factores de riesgo. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido conocer la incidencia de caídas en ancianos que viven en la comunidad e identificar los factores de riesgo. Pacientes y métodos: se han evaluado 200 sujetos con una edad ≥ 75 años que acudieron a un ambulatorio y deambulaban sin ayuda, mediante entrevista. Se incluyeron variables sociodemográficas, de salud, sobre las caídas y la utilización de recursos sanitarios. Se realizó un análisis bivariado y las variables significativas entraron en un análisis condicionado de regresión logística. Resultados: la incidencia anual de caídas y de caídas recurrentes fue del 56,5 y del 10,5%, respectivamente. En la regresión logística las caídas se asociaron de forma independiente al consumo de ≥ 3 fármacos (OR = 5,30), a vivir con pareja de edad (OR = 0,37), a las enfermedades circulatorias (OR = 0,29) y los nitratos (OR = 0,21). Las caídas recurrentes se asociaron de forma independiente al cambio de domicilio (OR = 11,10), a vivir con pareja de edad (OR = 0,20), a las enfermedades respiratorias (OR = 6,44), a las enfermedades circulatorias (OR = 0,27) y al uso de laxantes (OR = 9,55). Conclusiones: la incidencia de caídas y de caídas recurrentes en nuestro estudio es similar a la descrita en otros países occidentales. La polifarmacia y el consumo de laxantes son factores de riesgo potencialmente evitables. Convivir con pareja de edad parece proteger de la aparición de caídas en los ancianos que viven en la comunidad (AU)

Introduction: falls in the elderly are a significant health problem that can be prevented once risk factors have been identified. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of falls among elderly persons living in the community and their risk factors. Patients and methods: two hundred ambulatory individuals aged 75 years or older attending an outpatient clinic were evaluated by personal interview. Demographic and social variables, health characteristics, use of healthcare resources and falls were studied. Bivariate analysis was performed and significant variables were entered into a conditional logistic regression analysis. Results: the rate of falls per year was 56.5% and rate of recurrent falls was 10.5%. The factors associated with falls in the logistic regression model were living with a spouse (OR = 0.37), taking three or more drugs (OR = 5.30), cardiovascular diseases (OR = 0.29), and taking nitrates (OR = 0.21). The factors associated with recurrent falls were change of home (OR = 11.10), living with a spouse (OR = 0.20), respiratory (OR = 6.44) and cardiovascular diseases (OR = 0.27), and taking laxatives (OR = 9.55). Conclusions: in our study the rate of falls and recurrent falls was similar to that described in other studies in western countries. Our results suggest that taking at least three medications and the use of laxatives were potentially preventable risk factors. Living with a spouse seemed to protect from both falls and recurrent falls in elderly people living in the community (AU)

[Severity assessment by APACHE III system in Spain]. / Objetivación de la gravedad mediante el sistema APACHE-III aplicado en España.

BACKGROUND: To assess the performance of the prediction equation of the APACHE(Acute Physiology Age and Chronic Health Evaluation) III prognostic scoring system when applied in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Prospective multicenter cohort study that included 10786 adult patients from 86 Spanish intensive care units (ICU). Data collection during first 24 hours of admission: acute physiology score, age and comorbilties,for calculating APACHE III score; treatment location prior to ICU admission and main diagnosis admission category for applying the mortality prediction equation of APACHE III system. Main outcome was observed hospital mortality. RESULTS: Age was 57.74 (0.16); 68% males. Non-operative patients represented 76% of sample. APACHE III score was 53.75(0.26); observed and predicted hospital mortality were 21.2% and 19.8% respectively, with a standardized mortality ration of 1.07. The Chi2 Hosmer-Lemershow statistic was (H) 135.6, (C) 133.91: p < 0.001. The area under the Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) was 0.808, and correct classification at mortality risk of 50% was 82%. Uniformity of fit was better for non-operative diagnoses and for patients admitted from the emergency area. Calibration was excellent for risk lower than 60% but slightly underestimated observed risks above this level. CONCLUSIONS: The American APACHE III equation fit well when applied to Spanish critical patients but with limitations. Discrepancies could be attributed to differences in case-mix and variations in practice style.

Quality of life before intensive care unit admission and its influence on resource utilization and mortality rate.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the quality of life of critically ill patients before their intensive care admission and its relation to age, variables measured in the intensive care unit (ICU; severity of illness, therapeutic effort, resource utilization, and length of stay), and in-hospital mortality rate. DESIGN: Observational prospective multicenter study. SETTING: Eighty-six medical-surgical ICUs in Spain, including coronary patients. PATIENTS: We studied 8,685 patients between 1992 and 1993. Patients <16 yrs old and those dying within the first 6 hrs were excluded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data collection included age, gender, admission diagnosis, severity level by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III, quality of life survey score, therapeutic activity level by Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS), and ICU and hospital mortality rate. Pre-ICU quality-of-life score was 3.74 +/- 4.42 points; 33.24% of patients had a normal quality of life (0 points), and numbers of patients declined logarithmically in relationship to increasing quality-of-life scores, with only 189 patients having a score >15 points. Pre-ICU quality-of-life score correlated with age (r =.289, p <.001), with severity level by APACHE III score (r =.217, p <.001), and weakly with TISS (r =.067, p <.001). There was no correlation between quality of life and length of ICU stay. Patients dying in hospital after ICU discharge (n = 429) had worse quality of life (5.88 +/- 5.38 points) than those dying in the ICU (n = 1,453, 4.8 +/- 4.94), who themselves had a worse quality of life than hospital survivors (n = 6,803, 5.05 +/- 5.07; p <.0001 by analysis of variance), with significant differences between all three groups. In the multivariate analysis, pre-ICU quality-of-life was related to age, APACHE III score, and hospital mortality rate but not to TISS or ICU length of stay. Pre-ICU quality of life was introduced as a variable in the APACHE III prediction model and entered the model after acute physiology score, diagnosis, and age and before prior patient location and comorbidities. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.834 when quality-of-life was included and 0.83 when not. CONCLUSIONS: In Spain, the quality of life of critically ill patients before their ICU admission is good, and only a small proportion of patients have a low quality of life before admission. Previous quality of life is related to hospital mortality rate but contributes very little to the discriminatory ability of the APACHE III prediction model and has little influence on ICU resource utilization as measured by length of stay and therapeutic activity.

Circuitos de manejos intra y extrahospitalario de la enfermedad cerebrovascular aguda en Andalucía. Proyecto EVASCAN / Intra and extrahospitalary management circuits for acute cerebrovascular disease in Andalucía. The EVASCAN project

El proyecto EVASCAN tiene por objeto la mejora asistencial de la enfermedad cerebrovascular aguda (ECVA) en Andalucía. Objetivo: El análisis clínico-epidemiológico y de práctica asistencial intra y extrahospitalaria de la ECVA. Métodos: Estudio observacional prospectivo transversal. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con clínica de ECVA que acudieron a Urgencias de lso 24 hospitales de Andalucía participantes en el estudio los días 5, 15 y 25 de los meses comprendidos entre el 5 de marzo y el 25 de agosto de 1998. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, tipo de lesión, factores de riesgo, medios de acceso hospitalario, retraso asistencial desde el inicio de la clínica (retraso 1), demora en la realización de la tomografía computerizada (retraso 2), consumo de recursos y destino de los pacientes. Resultados: Muestra de 347 pacientes; edad, 71% > de 65 años; 81,8% de origen isquémico. Factores de riesgo: hipertensión arterial (55,8%), fibrilación auricular (16,5%). E 48,7% acudió por medios propios. Retraso 1: el 47,3% contactó en las tres primera horas. Retraso 2: en el 56,8% se realiza en las 3 primeras horas. Destino: el 59,9% ingresó en Neurología. Conclusiones: La ECVA en Andalucía mantiene un perfil epidemiológico y clínico similar al resto de España. Se hace necesario implantar circuitos específicos de manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico para esta patología, en especial en la de tipo isquémico, dado su retraso asistencial

The EVASCAN Project aims achieving an assistencial improvement for acute cerebrovascular disease (ACVD) in Andalusia. Objective: A clinico-epidemiological analysis of intra- and extrahospitalary practices in the case of ACVD in Andalusia. Methods: Cross.sectional prospective observational study. All patients were included who evidence clinical manifestations of ACVD and were seen at the Emergency Room in the 24 participating hospitals in Andalusia on the 5th, 15th and 25th of each month during the period from 5 March to 25 August 1998. The studied variables were: age, gender, type of lesion, risk factor, means used for access to the hospital, assistential delay from the first clinical manifestation (Delay 1), delay in performing a CT scan (Delay 2), resource usage and final destination of the patients. Results: The sample encompassed 347 patients, 71% of them aged over 65 years, and 81,6% with ischaemic lesions. The main risk factors were high blood pressure (55,8%) and atrial fibrillation (16,5%). Out of the total sample, 48,7% arrived at the hospital using their own transportation means. Delay 1: 47,3% of the cases were seen within the first three hours. Dealy 2: in 56,8% of the cases, the CT scan was performed within the first three hours. Destination: 59,9% of the cases were admitted to the Neurology Services. Conclusions: The Epidemiological and clinical profile of ACVD in Andalusia is similar to that in overall Spain. It is necessary to implement specific diagnostic and therapeutic management circuits for this condition, and particulary for the ischemic type, considering the observed assistential dealays

Acute respiratory distress syndrome: resource use and outcomes in 1985 and 1995, trends in mortality and comorbidities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare resource consumption and mortality between (ARDS) patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome treated at our center in 1985 (45 patients) and those treated in 1995. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study, considering trauma and nontrauma ARDS separately. We recorded severity index scores (APACHE III), infectious complications and multiorgan failure, intensive care unit (ICU) resource consumption (TISS 28), length of stay, time on mechanical ventilation, and ICU mortality. RESULTS: We found no variation in overall ARDS mortality and no reduction in mortality in the ARDS trauma group (43.5% in 1985 vs. 38.5% in 1995, not significant) but a significant increase in mortality among nontrauma septic ARDS patients (68.2% vs. 82.9%, P < .001), largely attributable to the new comorbidities of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and hematologic malignancy. TISS-28 showed an overall reduction over this time period (49.7 +/- 6.6 vs. 38.3 +/- 9.7, P < .001), due to fewer monitoring measures, particularly a lower use of pulmonary artery catheter. There were no overall changes in length of stay or days on mechanical ventilation between 1985 and 1995, but these variables did increase among the trauma subgroup. CONCLUSION: In our setting, mortality remained constant from 1985 to 1995 among ARDS trauma patients but not among nontrauma ARDS patients because of the new case-mix of the latter population, which now includes HIV and other immunodepressed patients.

La patología cerebrovascular aguda en las áreas de cuidados críticos y urgencias de Andalucía. Análisis clínicos-epidemiológicos y de práctica médica / Acute cerebrovascular disease in andalousian critical care and emergency areas. An analysis on clinical, epidemiological and medical practice aspects. EVASCAN Project

Fundamento. Estudio en Andalucía de la epidemiología de la enfermedad cerebrovascular aguda (ECVA), su práctica médica y resultados, identificando áreas de mejora. Método. Estudio observacional prospectivo en 27 hospitales, de muestreo consecutivo en pacientes ingresados en Urgencias y Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) aplicando tres cortes transversales mensuales de 24 horas de duración (días 5,15 y 25) del 5 de marzo al 25 de agosto de 1998. Criterios de inclusión: perfil clínico agudo compatible con tomografía computarizada (TC) diagnóstica. Resultados. Población de Urgencias: n = 347,81 por ciento origen isquémico, edad 71 por ciento > 65 años, factores de riesgo: 55,8 por ciento con hipertensión arterial y 16,5 por ciento con fibrilación auricular. Medios de acceso al hospital : 48,7 por ciento medios propios. Tiempo de inicio de los síntomas a su llegada en Urgencias (T1) < 3 h, tiempo de ingreso en Urgencias - TC (T2): 56,8 por ciento < 3 h. Población de UCI: n = 133 (16/27 UCI y 5,9 por ciento total pacientes), 83,9 por ciento origen hemorrágico, edad < 65 años en 67,3 por ciento, medios acceso: 43,8 por ciento por el 061. Tiempos: T1 64,4 por ciento < 3h y T2 79,8 por ciento < 3 h. APACHE III 63,2 (29,2), consumos de recursos estancia: 12 (9,5) días, ventilación mecánica: 74,2 por ciento. Mortalidad hospitalaria: 33,3 por ciento y 53 por ciento a los 12 meses. Conclusiones. La ECVA de origen isquémico queda demorada en su manejo respecto a la forma hemorrágica. Los tiempos y circuitos de manejo intra y extrahospitalarios deben reducirse. En las UCI de hospitales de referencia ingresa la ECVA hemorrágica, globalmente es una causa de ingreso muy baja, caracterizada por una alta gravedad y consumos de recursos así como muy elevada mortalidad evolutiva. (AU)

Evaluation of the utility of computed tomography in the initial assessment of the critical care patient with chest trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of thoracic computed tomography (TCT) in the initial assessment of critically ill patients with chest injuries. DESIGN: Prospective observational study of cohorts. SETTING: Trauma intensive care unit (ICU) of a Spanish Level III hospital (US equivalent Level I). PATIENTS: Three hundred seventy-five patients with chest injuries were studied, grouped into two cohorts according to whether they underwent admission TCT (exposed cohort, group I, n = 104) or not (unexposed cohort, group II, n = 271). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Demographic data, initial severity scores, and chest radiograph (CXR)-based diagnosis were collected in all patients as independent variables. In patients of group I, we also recorded the TCT-based diagnosis and any incidents, complications, or therapy changes resulting from the TCT. The need for and duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and ICU mortality were gathered in the whole sample as dependent variables. The admission data were similar in the two groups, except for a higher Injury Severity Score (ISS) and thoracic ISS in group I. TCT proved to be more sensitive than CXR in detecting pulmonary contusion, hemothorax, pneumothorax, and vertebral fractures and in identifying the faulty placement of chest drainage tubes. TCT findings induced therapy changes in approximately 30% of patients in group I. In the other dependent variables studied, there were no differences between the two groups. In the multivariate analysis, the TCT screening had no effects on the time on mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: TCT detects more chest injuries in trauma patients than does CXR and induces therapy changes in a considerable number of patients. However, this does not translate into an improvement in clinical outcomes.

Tiss 76 and Tiss 28: correlation of two therapeutic activity indices on a Spanish multicenter ICU database.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance of the Simplified Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS 28) on an independent database and to determine its relation to the original Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS 76). DESIGN: Analysis of the database of the Spanish prospective multicenter study PAEEC (Project for the Epidemiological Analysis of Critical Care Patients). SETTING: 86 intensive care units (ICUs) in Spain. PATIENTS: Data on 8838 patients admitted to the ICUs. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Administrative data, main diagnostic category, severity score [Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and III] and data for the calculation of the TISS 76 and TISS 28 were collected during the first 24 h after the patient's ICU admission. TISS 76 and TISS 28 scores were calculated and analyzed on how they varied according to other variables (diagnostic group, severity level, hospital size and age). The association between TISS 76 and TISS 28 was studied. The TISS 76 score was 21 +/- 10.5 points and the TISS 28 score 23.3 +/- 8.8 points. There was a good correlation between TISS 76 and TISS 28 (r = 0.85). The regression equation was: TISS 28 = 8.35 + (0.712 x TISS 76). The TISS 28 score behaved similarly to the TISS 76 score in relation to the other variables, with a positive correlation between the therapeutic and the severity level (APACHE II and III) and a negative correlation between therapeutic activity and age, with very similar correlation coefficients. Both TISS 28 and TISS 76 scores were higher in larger hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong correlation between TISS 28 and TISS 76 scores in the PAEEC database and TISS 28 works correctly in our setting.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome in trauma patients: ICU mortality and prediction factors.

OBJECTIVES: To study the factors that influence the intensive care unit (ICU) mortality of trauma patients who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and to evaluate determinants of length of ICU stay among these patients. DESIGN: Study on a prospective cohort of 59 trauma patients that developed ARDS. SETTING: ICU of a referral trauma center. Fifty-nine patients were included during the study period from 1994 to 1997. METHODS: The dependent variables studied were the mortality and length of ICU stay. The main independent variables studied included the general severity score APACHE III, the revised trauma and injury severity scores (RTS, ISS), emergency treatment measures, the gas exchange index (PaO2/FIO2) recorded after the onset of ARDS and the development of multiple system organ failure (MSOF). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 42.1 +/- 16.7 years, 49 patients (83 %) were male, the mean APACHE III score was 52.7 +/- 33.7 points, the ISS 28.5 +/- 11.4 points and the RTS 8.9 +/- 2.5 points. ICU length of stay was 28.5 +/- 24.5 days and the mortality rate 31.7 % (19 deaths). Mortality was associated with the following: PaO2/FIO2 ratio on the 3rd, 5th and 7th days post-ARDS; high volume of crystalloid/colloid infusion during resuscitation; the APACHE III score; and the development of MSOF According to the multivariate analysis, the mortality of these patients was correlated with the PaO2/FIO2 ratio on the 3rd day of ARDS, the APACHE III score and the development of MSOF. This analysis also showed days on mechanical ventilation to be the only variable that predicted ICU length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: The ICU mortality of trauma patients with ARDS is related to the APACHE III score, the gas exchange evolution as measured by the PaO2/FIO2 on the 3rd day and the progressive complications indicated by the onset of MSOF. The length of ICU stay of these patients is related to the number of days on mechanical ventilation.

Immediate application of positive-end expiratory pressure is more effective than delayed positive-end expiratory pressure to reduce extravascular lung water.

OBJECTIVE: To determine by the measurement of extravascular lung water (EVLW) whether the timing of positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP) application influences the intensity of lung injury. DESIGN: Animal experimental study. SETTING: Animal experimental laboratory. SUBJECTS: Mixed-breed pigs (n = 18), aged 4 to 5 mos, weighing 25 to 30 kg. INTERVENTIONS: The animals were anesthetized and tracheotomized, after which a permeability pulmonary edema was instigated by infusing oleic acid (0.1/kg) into the central vein. All animals were then randomly divided into three groups. In group 1 (n = 5), 10 cm H2O of PEEP was applied immediately after the oleic acid infusion and maintained throughout the 6 hrs of the experiment. Group 2 (n = 7) received the same level of PEEP 120 mins after the insult for 4 hrs. Group 3 (n = 6), the control group, was ventilated without PEEP for the six hrs of the experiment. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At the end of the experiment, EVLW was calculated by gravimetric method. EVLW in group 1 (11.46+/-2.00 mL/kg) was significantly less than in group 2 (19.12+/-2.62 mL/kg) and group 3 (25.81+/-1.57 mL/kg), (p<.0001). Oxygenation also showed important differences by the end of the experiment when the Pao2/Fio2 ratio was significantly better in group 1 (467+/-73) than in group 2 (180+/-82) and group 3 (39+/-9), (p<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The application of 10 cm H2O of PEEP reduces EVLW in a time-dependent manner and maximum protective effect is achieved if it is applied immediately after lung injury production.

The Apache III prognostic system: customized mortality predictions for Spanish ICU patients.

OBJECTIVE: To customize the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III mortality equation for Spanish admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) and evaluate its discrimination and calibration. DESIGN: Prospective multicenter inception cohort study. SETTING: 86 ICUs located in all regions of Spain. PATIENTS: 10,929 adult patients selected by a systematic sampling method. All types of critical care patients were included, including coronary bypass patients, but excluding those with burn injury, those admitted for pacemaker implants, patients under 16 years of age, and patients with length of ICU stay < 6 h. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Data collection in the first 24 h after patient admission included: APACHE III score, treatment location prior to ICU admission, and main ICU admission diagnosis. Using these variables, a model for predicting hospital mortality was constructed, adapted to Spain, and its discriminating ability was assessed by the area below the ROC curve, which was 0.83. The model was validated using the jacknife method and the area below the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the cross-validated predictions was 0.82. The percentage of patients correctly classified at 0.50 risk of death was 82.3%. Model calibration was evaluated by analysis of the agreement between the observed and cross-validated predicted mortality using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, which gave a value of (H) 12.27, with no statistical significance, i.e., good calibration. CONCLUSIONS: We have customized the APACHE III mortality prediction system for the Spanish population. This adapted model has demonstrated the requisite validation, calibration, and discrimination for its use among Spanish critical care patients.

Limitation of therapeutic activity in elderly critically ill patients. Project for the Epidemiological Analysis of Critical Care Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To establish whether the age of patients admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) influences the amount of therapy received. DESIGN: Observational, prospective, multicenter study. SETTING: Eighty-six multidisciplinary ICUs in Spain, including coronary patients. PATIENTS: The patients (n = 8,838) were studied during a 6-month period between 1992 and 1993. Patients < 16 yrs of age and patients dying within the first 6 hrs were excluded from the study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We collected data on age, gender, type of diagnosis at the time of admission, severity level by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and III, quality of life survey score, therapeutic activity during the first 24 hrs by Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System, and ICU and hospital mortality rates. In the sample of patients, 12.5% were > 75 yrs of age. Compared with younger patients, these patients had higher APACHE II (18.41 +/- 0.23 vs. 15.14 +/- 0.09 points, p < .001) and APACHE III (65.8 +/- 0.81 vs. 53.32 +/- 0.33 points, p < .001) scores, a higher quality of life survey score (i.e., worse quality of life, 7.19 +/- 0.19 vs. 3.86 +/- 0.05 points, p < .001), and a greater ICU mortality rate (21.9% vs. 15.3%, p < .00001) and hospital mortality rate (30.8% vs. 19.3%, p < .00001). However, patients > 75 yrs had a lower Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System score (19.83 +/- 0.28 vs. 21.17 +/- 0.12 points, p < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that once severity, need for mechanical ventilation, diagnostic group, and mortality rate were taken into account, there was less therapeutic activity in patients > 75 yrs of age. CONCLUSIONS: Patients > 75 yrs of age represent a large proportion of patients in Spanish ICUs. Although their mortality rate and severity scores were higher than those values in younger patients, patients > 75 yrs of age received less therapy.