Red blood cell transfusions worsen the outcomes even in critically ill patients undergoing a restrictive transfusion strategy / Transfusões de concentrados de hemácias pioram os resultados mesmo em pacientes graves, submetidos a estratégia restritiva de transfusão

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Anemia and blood transfusions are common in intensive care. This study aimed to evaluate epidemiology and outcomes among critically ill patients under a restrictive transfusion strategy. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective observational cohort study in an intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary hospital. METHODS: All adults admitted to the ICU over a one-year period who remained there for more than 72 hours were included, except those with acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke, acute hemorrhage, prior transfusion, pregnant women and Jehovah's Witnesses. The restrictive strategy consisted of transfusion indicated when hemoglobin levels were less than or equal to 7.0 g/dl. RESULTS: The study enrolled 167 patients; the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 28.9 ± 6.5. The baseline hemoglobin level was 10.6 ± 2.2 g/dl and on day 28, it was 8.2 ± 1.3 g/dl (P < 0.001). Transfusions were administered to 35% of the patients. In the transfusion group, 61.1% did not survive, versus 48.6% in the non-transfusion group (P = 0.03). Transfusion was an independent risk factor for mortality (P = 0.011; odds ratio, OR = 2.67; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.25 to 5.69). ICU stay and hospital stay were longer in the transfusion group: 20.0 (3.0-83.0) versus 8.0 (3.0-63.0) days (P < 0,001); and 24.0 (3.0-140.0) versus 14.0 (3.0-80.0) days (P = 0.002), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill patients, there was a reduction in hemoglobin with increasing length of ICU stay. Moreover, transfusion was associated with worse prognoses.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Anemia e transfusões sanguíneas são comuns em terapia intensiva. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a epidemiologia e resultados em pacientes críticos sob o regime de transfusão restritiva. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo de coorte, prospectivo e observacional em unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital terciário. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos todos adultos admitidos na unidade durante um ano e que permaneceram internados por mais de 72 horas, exceto pacientes com lesão coronariana aguda, isquemia cerebral aguda, hemorragia aguda, transfusão anterior, mulheres grávidas e testemunhas de Jeová. A estratégia restritiva consiste na transfusão indicada com a hemoglobina inferior ou igual a 7.0 g/dl. RESULTADOS: Totalizando 167 pacientes incluídos, APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health disease II) foi de 28,9 ± 6,5. O valor da hemoglobina basal foi de 10,6 ± 2.2 g/dl e no 28º dia foi de 8,2 ± 1.3 g/dl (P < 0,001). 35% dos pacientes receberam transfusões. No grupo de transfusão 61,1% não sobreviveram versus 48,6% do grupo não transfusão (P = 0,03). A transfusão foi fator de risco independente de mortalidade (P = 0,011; odds ratio, OR = 2,67; intervalo de confiança, IC 95% = 1,25-5,69). A internação na unidade de terapia intensiva e hospitalar foi maior no grupo de transfusão: 20,0 (3,0-83,0) versus 8,0 (3,0-63,0) dias (P < 0,001); e 24,0 (3,0-140,0) versus 14,0 (3,0-80,0) dias (P = 0,002). CONCLUSÕES: Em pacientes graves, observou-se redução da hemoglobina com a progressão da permanência na UTI. Além disso, a transfusão foi associada com piores prognósticos.

Aplicabilidade do escore fisiológico agudo simplificado (SAPS 3) em hospitais brasileiros / Aplicabilidad de la puntuación fisiológica aguda simplificada (SAPS 3) en hospitales brasileños / Applicability of the simplified acute physiology score (SAPS 3) in brazilian hospitals

Justificativa e objetivos: O sistema prognóstico SAPS 3 (Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3) é composto de 20 variáveis, representadas por escore fisiológico agudo e avaliação do estado prévio, visando estabelecer índice preditivo de mortalidade para pacientes admitidos em unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI). O estudo teve objetivo de validar este sistema e verificar o poder discriminatório deste índice em pacientes cirúrgicos do Brasil. Método: Estudo prospectivo, realizado em duas UTI especializadas em pacientes cirúrgicos de dois diferentes hospitais, no período de um ano, excluiuse pacientes com idade inferior a 16 anos, que permaneceram tempo inferior a 24 horas na UTI, readmitidos e aqueles admitidos para procedimento dialítico. A habilidade preditiva do índice SAPS 3 em diferenciar sobreviventes e não sobreviventes foi verificada utilizando curva ROC e a calibração pelo teste Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 1.310 pacientes. Operações gastrintestinais foram predominantes (34,9 por cento). O menor valor do índice SAPS 3 foi 18 e o maior 154, média de 48,5 ± 18,1. A mortalidade hospitalar prevista e real foi de 10,3 por cento e de 10,8 por cento, respectivamente, razão de mortalidade padronizada (SMR) foi 1,04 (IC95 por cento = 1,03-1,07). A calibração pelo método Hosmer e Lemeshow mostrou X² = 10,47 p = 0,234. O valor do escore SAPS 3 que melhor discriminou sobreviventes e não sobreviventes foi 57, com sensibilidade de 75,8 por cento e especificidade de 86 por cento. Dos pacientes com índice SAPS 3 maior que 57, 73,5 por cento não sobreviveram versus 26,5 por cento de sobreviventes (OR = 1,32 IC95 por cento 1,23 - 1,42, p < 0,0001). Conclusões: O sistema SAPS 3 é válido na população brasileira de pacientes cirúrgicos, sendo útil para indicar pacientes graves e determinar maiores cuidados neste grupo.

Background and objectives: The SAPS 3 (Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3) prognostic system is composed of 20 parameters, represented by an acute physiology score and assessment of the previous status, aimed at establishing a predictive mortality index for patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU). The objective of this study was to validate this system and determine its discriminatory power in surgical patients in Brazil. Methods: This is a prospective study undertaken in two surgical ICUs of two different hospitals over a one-year period; patients younger than 16 years, who stay at the ICU for less than 24 hours, readmitted to the unit, and those admitted for dialysis were excluded from the study. The predictive ability of the SAPS 3 index to differentiate survivors and non-survivors was determined by the ROC curve and calibration by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. Results: One thousand three-hundred and ten patients were included in the study. Gastrointestinal surgeries predominated (34.9 percent). Eighteen was the lower SAPS 3 index and the highest was 154, with a mean of 48.5 ± 18.1. The predicted and real hospital mortality was 10.3 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively; the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 1.04 (95 percentCI = 1.03-1.07). Calibration by the Hosmer and Lemeshow method showed X² = 10.47 p = 0.234. The SAPS 3 score that better discriminated survivors and non-survivors was 57, with sensitivity of 75.8 percent and specificity 86 percent. Among the patients with SAPS 3 index higher than 57, 73.5 percent did not survive versus 26.5 percent who survived (OR= 1.32, 95 percentCI 1.23-1.42, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The SAPS 3 system is valid for the Brazilian population of surgical patients, being a useful indicator of critical patients and to determine greater care in this group.

Justificativa y objetivos: El sistema de pronóstico SAPS 3 (Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3), se compone de 20 variables, representadas por una puntuación fisiológica aguda y por una evaluación del estado previo, con el fin de establecer el índice predictivo de mortalidad para los pacientes admitidos en las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI). El estudio quiso validar ese sistema y verificar el poder discriminatorio de ese índice en pacientes quirúrgicos de Brasil. Método: Estudio prospectivo, realizado en dos UCIs especializadas en pacientes quirúrgicos de dos hospitales diferentes, en el período de un año, donde quedaron excluidos pacientes con edad inferior a los 16 años, que permanecieron un tiempo inferior a 24 horas en la UCI, los readmitidos y los que fueron admitidos para el procedimiento de diálisis. La habilidad predictiva del índice SAPS 3 para diferenciar a los sobrevivientes y a los no sobrevivientes, se constató utilizando la curva ROC y la calibración a través del test Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el estudio 1310 pacientes. Las operaciones gastrointestinales fueron predominantes (34,9 por ciento). El menor valor del índice SAPS 3 fue 18 y el mayor 154, un promedio de 48,5 ± 18,1. La mortalidad hospitalaria prevista y real alcanzó los 10,3 por ciento y 10,8 por ciento respectivamente, la razón de mortalidad estandarizada (SMR) fue 1,04 (IC95 por ciento = 1,03-1,07). La calibración por el método Hosmer y Lemeshow mostró X2 = 10,47 p = 0,234. El valor de la puntuación SAPS 3 que desglosó mejor a los sobrevivientes y a los no sobrevivientes fue 57, con una sensibilidad de un 75,8 por ciento y una especificidad de un 86 por ciento. De los pacientes con el índice SAPS 3 mayor que 57, un 73,5 por ciento no sobrevivieron contra un 26,5 por ciento de sobrevivientes (OR = 1,32 IC95 por ciento 1,23 – 1,42, p < 0,0001). Conclusiones: El sistema SAPS 3 es valido en la población brasileña...

Critérios para admissão de pacientes na unidade de terapia intensiva e mortalidade / Criteria for patient admissiwwon in the intensive care unit and mortality rate

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os critérios utilizados na prática clínica, no processo de triagem de pacientes para admissão em UTI. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte prospectivo, em hospital terciário. Foram comparados quatro grupos diferentes de pacientes em relação à necessidade para admissão na UTI e divididos em prioridades 1, 2, 3 e 4, ou seja, prioridade 1 mais necessária até prioridade 4, menos necessária. RESULTADOS: Incluiu-se 359 pacientes, idade 66 (53,2-75,0) anos. APACHE II foi 23 (18-30). Obtevese 70,4 por cento de vagas cedidas na UTI. A idade foi maior nos pacientes para os quais foram recusadas vagas em UTI 66,2±16,1 vs 61,9±15,2 anos (p= 0,02) e a prioridade 1 apresentou mais vagas cedidas 39,1 por cento vs 23,8 por cento vagas recusadas (p=0,01), o contrário ocorreu com prioridades 3 e 4. Pacientes com prioridades 3 e 4 apresentaram maiores idade, escores prognósticos e mais disfunções orgânicas, assim como maiores taxas de recusas. Ocorreram altas mortalidades destes grupos na UTI, 86,7 por cento vs 31,3 por cento no grupo de prioridades 1 e 2 (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A idade, o escore prognóstico e a disfunção orgânica são maiores nas categorias 3 e 4, sendo estas relacionadas com a recusa na UTI. Os pacientes recusados para admissão na UTI apresentam taxa de mortalidade elevada, que permanece alta entre pacientes prioridades 3 e 4, mesmo quando estes são admitidos na UTI.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate criteria used in clinical practice, for screening of patients for ICU admission. METHODS: Cohort prospective study in a tertiary hospital. Four groups were compared in relation to ICU admission by ranking priorities into groups 1, 2, 3 and 4; highest priority 1, lowest priority 4. RESULTS: Enrolled were 359 patients, 66 (53.2-75.0) years old. APACHE II was 23 (18-30). The ICU made available 70.4 percent of beds. Patients who were refused beds in the ICU were older, 66.2±16.1 versus 61.9±15.2 years of age (p= 0.02) and the priority 1 group had less refusal of beds, which means, 39.1 percent versus 23.8 percent had beds refused (p=0.01). The opposite occurred with priorities 3 and 4. Patients in priority 3 and 4 showed older ages, score system and more organ dysfunctions as well as more refusals of beds. ICU mortality rates were higher for priority groups 3 and 4 when compared to 1 and 2 priority groups, 86.7 percent versus 31.3 percent (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Age, score system and organ dysfunctions were greater in priority groups 3 and 4 and these were related with refusal from the ICU. Patients refused admission to the ICU showed higher mortality rates and these remained higher among priority groups 3 and 4 even when patients were admitted to the ICU.

Epidemiology of severe sepsis in the emergency department and difficulties in the initial assistance

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence rate, demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients with severe sepsis admitted to the emergency department. METHODS: A prospective study evaluating all patients admitted to the emergency department unit in a public hospital of tertiary complexity in a six-month period was conducted. During this period, the emergency team was trained to diagnose sepsis. Patients who met the diagnostic criteria for severe sepsis were followed until their discharge from the hospital. RESULTS: A total of 5,332 patients were admitted to the emergency department, and 342 met the criteria for severe sepsis/septic shock. The median (interquartile range) age of patients was 74 (65-84) years, and 52.1 percent were male. The median APACHE II and SOFA scores at diagnosis were 19 (15-25) and 5 (3-7), respectively. The median number of dysfunctional organ systems per patient was 2 (1-3). The median hospital length of stay was 10 (4.7-17) days, and the hospital mortality rate was 64 percent. Only 31 percent of the patients were diagnosed by the emergency department team as septic. About 33.5 percent of the 342 severe sepsis patients admitted to the emergency department were referred to an ICU, with a median time delay of 24 (12-48) hours. Training improved diagnosis and decreased the time delay for septic patients in arriving at the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence rate of severe sepsis in the emergency department was 6.4 percent, and the rate of sepsis diagnosed by the emergency department team as well as the number of patients transferred to the ICU was very low. Educational campaigns are important to improve diagnosis and, hence, treatment of severe sepsis.

Epidemiological and microbiological analysis of ventilator-associated pneumonia patients in a public teaching hospital

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most commonly-acquired infection in patients in intensive care units. We analyzed epidemiological and microbiological characteristics and the outcome, in a cohort of critically-ill patients with confirmed diagnosis of VAP. All patients who had been on mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 48 hours were included in our study; material collection for microbiological analysis was done within the first 24 hours after beginning treatment or after changing antibiotics. There were 55/265 (20.7 percent) VAP cases diagnosed, at a rate of 21.6 episodes per 1,000 days of mechanical ventilation. Mean age of the patients was 66 years, with a mean APACHE II score of 26.7 + 7.0; male patients were more prevalent. The mortality rates in the intensive care unit (ICU) and during the hospital stay were 71 percent and 80 percent, respectively. MV duration in patients with VAP was 17 (range 3-43) days and among patients who had not developed VAP, 6 (2-32) days (p < 0.0001). 98.2 percent of the samples were positive, with a high prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria, mainly Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. Risk factors for death included age, MV duration and surgery. VAP incidence in this sample of critically-ill patients was high, with a high mortality rate. Control and prevention strategies based on continuing education of healthcare workers, developed by a multidisciplinary team, should be encouraged to minimize morbimortality of this infection.