The practice of diagnosing and reporting transfusion-associated circulatory overload: a national survey among physicians and haemovigilance officers.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims at identifying factors that disciplines consider when diagnosing and reporting transfusion-associated circulatory overload ('TACO'). BACKGROUND: TACO is a clinical diagnosis based mainly on subjective factors. Therefore, TACO could be an underreported complication of blood transfusion. METHODS: A survey was conducted among critical care physicians, anaesthesiologists, haematologists, transfusion medicine physicians and haemovigilance officers using case vignettes and a questionnaire. Factors that may affect diagnosing TACO were investigated using conjoint analysis. A positive B-coefficient indicates a positive preference for diagnosing TACO. Participants rated factors influencing reporting TACO on a 0- to 100-point scale. RESULTS: One hundred and seven surveys were returned (62%). Vignettes showed preferences in favour of diagnosing TACO with the onset of symptoms within 2 h [ß 0·4(-0·1-1·0)], positive fluid balance [ß 0·9(0·4-1·5)] and history of renal failure [ß 0·6(0·1-1·2)]. Compared with transfusion of a single unit of red blood cells (RBC), respondents showed a preference for diagnosing TACO following a single unit of solvent/detergent (S/D) plasma or pooled platelet concentrate (PPC) [ß 0·3(-0·2-0·7) resp. 0·5(-0·1-1·2)]. Multiple transfusion (6 RBC + 4 S/D plasma) was a strong preference for diagnosing TACO compared to 1 RBC and 1 S/D plasma [ß 0·3(-0·8-1·3)]. Respondents did not fully take into account new hypertension and tachycardia when reporting TACO [median 70 (IQR 50-80) resp. 60 (IQR 50-80)]. No differences were observed between disciplines involved. CONCLUSION: When diagnosing and reporting TACO, physicians and haemovigilance officers do consider known risk factors for TACO. Reporting could be improved by increasing the awareness of haemodynamic variables in future education programmes.

The practice of platelet transfusion prior to central venous catheterization in presence of coagulopathy: a national survey among clinicians.

BACKGROUND: Correction of coagulopathy prior to central venous catheter (CVC) placement is advocated by guidelines, while retrospective studies support restrictive use of transfusion products. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a mixed vignette and questionnaire web survey to investigate current practice and preferences for CVC placement. Clinical vignettes were used to quantify the tendency to administer platelet concentrate. A positive ß-coefficient is in favour of administering platelet concentrate. RESULTS: Ninety-seven physicians answered the survey questions (36 critical care physicians, 14 haematologists, 20 radiologists and 27 anaesthesiologist). Eighty-six physicians subsequently completed the clinical vignettes (response rate 71%). Preferences in favour of correcting thrombocytopenia prior CVC placement were platelet counts of 10 × 109 /L and 20 × 109 /L (ß = 3·9; ß = 3·2, respectively), the subclavian insertion site (ß = 0·8). An elevated INR (INR = 3; ß = 0·6) and an elevated aPTT (aPTT = 60 s; ß = 0·4) showed a positive trend towards platelet transfusion. Platelet transfusion was less likely in an emergency setting (ß = -0·4). Reported transfusion thresholds for CVC placement varied from <10 × 109 /L to 80 × 109 /L for platelet count, from 1·0 to 10·0 for INR and from 25 s to 150 s for aPTT. Implementation of ultrasound guidance as standard practice was limited. CONCLUSION: Current transfusion practice prior to CVC placement is highly variable. Physicians adjust the decision to correct coagulopathy prior CVC placement based on clinical parameters, insertion site and technique applied.

Knowledge about post-anoxic somatosensory evoked potentials--present or not?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Median nerve somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) recordings play an important role in outcome algorithms in comatose patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Knowledge of technical difficulties, clinical implications and uniform interpretation of SEP recordings is crucial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the skills of neurologists to interpret SEP recordings in post-anoxic patients. METHODS: Nationwide Dutch clinical neurophysiology examinations from 2007, 2008 and 2011, containing SEP related questions, were analysed. Participants were classified as neurology residents, neurologists with less than 10 years of experience, neurologists with more than 10 years of experience and clinical neurophysiologists. End-points were the knowledge of all participants about SEP recordings per year as well as improvement in knowledge over the years, as reflected by the test scores. RESULTS: A total of 194 participants completed the examination in 2007, 200 in 2008 and 263 in 2011. Between 2007 and 2008, all groups of respondents showed a significant increase in percentage of correct answers to SEP questions. Sixty-six participants completed all three examinations. The SEP score of this group improved in 2008 [75%, interquartile range (IQR) 50-75, P < 0.001] compared with 2007 (38%, IQR 38-50); there was no further improvement in 2011 (69%, IQR 54-77). CONCLUSION: Continuing education about technical knowledge, possible pitfalls and interpretation of SEP recordings remains of utmost importance.

Association of intraoperative hypotension with postoperative morbidity and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative hypotension, with varying definitions in literature, may be associated with postoperative complications. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the association of intraoperative hypotension with postoperative morbidity and mortality. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for studies published between January 1990 and August 2018. The primary endpoints were postoperative overall morbidity and mortality. Secondary endpoints were postoperative cardiac outcomes, acute kidney injury, stroke, delirium, surgical outcomes and combined outcomes. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses and a meta-regression were performed to test the robustness of the results and to explore heterogeneity. RESULTS: The search identified 2931 studies, of which 29 were included in the meta-analysis, consisting of 130 862 patients. Intraoperative hypotension was associated with an increased risk of morbidity (odds ratio (OR) 2.08, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.56 to 2.77) and mortality (OR 1.94, 1.32 to 2.84). In the secondary analyses, intraoperative hypotension was associated with cardiac complications (OR 2.44, 1.52 to 3.93) and acute kidney injury (OR 2.69, 1.31 to 5.55). Overall heterogeneity was high, with an I2 value of 88 per cent. When hypotension severity, outcome severity and study population variables were added to the meta-regression, heterogeneity was reduced to 50 per cent. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative hypotension during non-cardiac surgery is associated with postoperative cardiac and renal morbidity, and mortality. A universally accepted standard definition of hypotension would facilitate further research into this topic.

Presence and persistence of nutrition-related symptoms during the first year following esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction in clinically disease-free patients.

BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction results in a variety of postoperative nutrition-related symptoms that may influence the patient's nutritional status. METHODS: We developed a 15-item questionnaire, focusing on the nutrition-related complaints the first year after an esophagectomy. The questionnaire was filled out the first week after discharge and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The use of enteral nutrition, meal size and frequency, social aspects related to eating, defecation pattern, and body weight were recorded at the same time points. We analyzed the relationship between the baseline characteristics and the number of nutrition-related symptoms, as well as the relationship between those symptoms and body weight with linear mixed models. RESULTS: We found no significant within-patient change for the total number of nutrition-related symptoms (P = 0.67). None of the baseline factors were identified as predictors of the complaint scores. The most frequently experienced complaints were early satiety, postprandial dumping syndrome, inhibited passage due to high viscosity, reflux, and absence of hunger. One year after surgery, meal sizes were still smaller, the social aspects of eating were influenced negatively, and patients experienced an altered stool frequency. Directly after the surgical procedure 78% of the patients lost weight, and the entire postoperative year the mean body weight remained lower (P = 0.47). We observed no association between the complaint scores and body weight (P = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: After an esophagectomy, most patients struggle with nutrition-related symptoms, are confronted with nutrition-related adjustments and a reduced body weight.

Early predictability of the need for tracheotomy after admission to ICU: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to explore the ability of professional judgment to predict the need for tracheotomy early among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS: Prospective study using daily questionnaires among ICU physicians in a mixed medical-surgical ICU. The prediction of tracheotomy was by a visual analogue scale (VAS, from 1 to 10, with 1 representing 'absolutely no need for tracheotomy' and 10 representing 'pertinent need for tracheotomy') during ICU stay until tracheal extubation or tracheotomy. For the purpose of this study, a VAS score ≥ 8 was considered a positive prediction for tracheotomy. RESULTS: A total of 476 questionnaires were retrieved for 75 patients (6.4 ± 5.2 questionnaires per patient), of which 11 patients finally proceeded with a tracheostomy. At first assessment (mean of 2.4 ± 0.8 days after ICU admittance), ICU physicians predicted the need for tracheotomy 3.0 (2.0-6.0) higher VAS points for patients who were finally tracheotomized (P<0.01). Patients with a positive prediction had a 5.4 (1.2-24.1) higher chance of receiving tracheotomy (P=0.03). Considering the median VAS score over a maximum of 10 days before tracheotomy, ICU physicians scored tracheotomized patients significantly higher from day 8 onwards. When comparing ICU physicians, fellows and residents separately, only staff physicians scored a significant difference in the VAS score (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: ICU physicians are able to differentiate between patients in need for tracheotomy from those who do not, within 2 days from admittance. The closer the time to the actual intervention, the better the physicians are able to predict this decision.

A survey of physicians' reasons to transfuse plasma and platelets in the critically ill: a prospective single-centre cohort study.

Data on the rationality of transfusion practice of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets in the critically ill are sparse and may contribute to efforts to reduce transfusion rates. To provide insight into determinants of the decision of intensive care unit (ICU)-physicians to transfuse, a survey study was performed. The reasons of ICU-physicians to transfuse FFP and platelets were determined during a 10-week period. Transfusion triggers were assessed, as well as correction of prolonged coagulation test results. Of 310 admissions, 44 patients (14%) received a transfusion of FFP and 35 patients (11%) received a platelet transfusion. In 67% patients, FFPs were transfused in bleeding patients and in 33% in non-bleeding patients. FFP was transfused at a prothrombin time (PT) of 19 s (17-22). After FFP transfusion, PT levels of 15-18, 18-20 and 20-26 s decreased with a median of 0.7, 1.9 and 3.5 s, respectively. On average, 3.2 FFP units were ordered, of which 28% was not transfused. The major reason to transfuse platelets was bleeding. Platelets were transfused at a platelet count of 95 (36-116) x 10(9) L(-1) in bleeding and 13 (10-18) x 10(9) L(-1) in non-bleeding patients. On average, 1.4 platelet units were ordered, of which 20% was not transfused. The agreement between physicians reporting a major bleeding and a definition of bleeding was poor (kappa < 0.10 for FFP and 0.20 for platelets). In conclusion, one-third of FFP transfusions was given to non-bleeding patients. FFP transfusion failed to normalize prolonged coagulation test results in the majority of the patients. Transfusion of platelets was restrictive in non-bleeding patients and liberal in bleeding patients. Education on indications of FFP transfusion and improved identification of bleeding may reduce transfusion rates.

Diagnosing acute lung injury in the critically ill: a national survey among critical care physicians.

BACKGROUND: Incidence reports on acute lung injury (ALI) vary widely. An insight into the diagnostic preferences of critical care physicians when diagnosing ALI may improve identification of the ALI patient population. METHODS: Critical care physicians in the Netherlands were surveyed using vignettes involving hypothetical patients and a questionnaire. The vignettes varied in seven diagnostic determinants based on the North American European Consensus Conference and the lung injury score. Preferences were analyzed using a mixed-effects logistic regression model and presented as an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: From 243 surveys sent to 30 hospitals, 101 were returned (42%). ORs were as follows: chest X-ray consistent with ALI: OR 1.7 (1.3-2.3), high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) (15 cmH(2)O): OR 5.0 (3.9-6.6), low pulmonary artery occlusion pressures (PAOP) (<18 mmHg): OR 4.7 (3.6-6.1), low compliance (30 ml/cmH(2)O): OR 0.7 (0.5-0.9), low PaO(2)/FiO(2) (<250 mmHg): OR 9.2 (6.9-12.3), absence of heart failure: OR 1.2 (0.9-1.5), presence of a risk factor for ALI (sepsis): OR 1.0 (0.8-1.3). The questionnaire revealed that critical care physicians with an anesthesiology background differed from physicians with an internal medicine background with regard to hemodynamic variables when considering an ALI diagnosis (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dutch critical care physicians consider the PEEP level, but not the presence of a risk factor for ALI, as an important factor to diagnose ALI. Background specialty of critical care physicians influences diagnostic preferences and may account for variance in the reported incidence of ALI.

Differences in oral health behaviour between children from high and children from low SES schools in The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the determinants of dental caries in relation to socio-economic status (SES) within oral health, children's eating habits and parental attitudes towards oral health. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: Dental screening data were collected from 6- and 10-year-old schoolchildren from low and high SES schools in The Netherlands in this cross-sectional study. METHODS: The clinical examination was performed by trained dental hygiene students who collected the data on dental caries, dental plaque and duration of brushing. The paper questionnaire completed by the parents included 18 questions about oral health behaviour, eating habits and parental attitudes towards oral health. RESULTS: Two of the six parameters of oral health behaviour were statistically associated with the high caries prevalence in the low SES group (brushing frequency (p = 0.028) and age at the first visit to the dentist (p = 0.044)). High intake of fruit juices and/or soft drinks (p = 0.043) and low calcium intake (p = 0.028) were identified as risk determinants for caries with low SES. All parameters of parental attitudes towards oral health were associated with caries, but not with SES. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the high caries prevalence in children from low SES schools was associated with oral health behaviour and eating habits. The role of parents was indirectly associated with the occurrence of dental caries. Therefore, it is important to include parents in all intervention programmes in order to reduce the prevalence of caries.

Electromagnetic interference from radio frequency identification inducing potentially hazardous incidents in critical care medical equipment.

CONTEXT: Health care applications of autoidentification technologies, such as radio frequency identification (RFID), have been proposed to improve patient safety and also the tracking and tracing of medical equipment. However, electromagnetic interference (EMI) by RFID on medical devices has never been reported. OBJECTIVE: To assess and classify incidents of EMI by RFID on critical care equipment. DESIGN AND SETTING: Without a patient being connected, EMI by 2 RFID systems (active 125 kHz and passive 868 MHz) was assessed under controlled conditions during May 2006, in the proximity of 41 medical devices (in 17 categories, 22 different manufacturers) at the Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Assessment took place according to an international test protocol. Incidents of EMI were classified according to a critical care adverse events scale as hazardous, significant, or light. RESULTS: In 123 EMI tests (3 per medical device), RFID induced 34 EMI incidents: 22 were classified as hazardous, 2 as significant, and 10 as light. The passive 868-MHz RFID signal induced a higher number of incidents (26 incidents in 41 EMI tests; 63%) compared with the active 125-kHz RFID signal (8 incidents in 41 EMI tests; 20%); difference 44% (95% confidence interval, 27%-53%; P < .001). The passive 868-MHz RFID signal induced EMI in 26 medical devices, including 8 that were also affected by the active 125-kHz RFID signal (26 in 41 devices; 63%). The median distance between the RFID reader and the medical device in all EMI incidents was 30 cm (range, 0.1-600 cm). CONCLUSIONS: In a controlled nonclinical setting, RFID induced potentially hazardous incidents in medical devices. Implementation of RFID in the critical care environment should require on-site EMI tests and updates of international standards.

Daily enteral feeding practice on the ICU: attainment of goals and interfering factors.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the daily feeding practice of enterally fed patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) and to study the impact of preset factors in reaching predefined optimal nutritional goals. METHODS: The feeding practice of all ICU patients receiving enteral nutrition for at least 48 hours was recorded during a 1-year period. Actual intake was expressed as the percentage of the prescribed volume of formula (a success is defined as 90% or more). Prescribed volume (optimal intake) was guided by protocol but adjusted to individual patient conditions by the intensivist. The potential barriers to the success of feeding were assessed by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Four-hundred-and-three eligible patients had a total of 3,526 records of feeding days. The desired intake was successful in 52% (1,842 of 3,526) of feeding days. The percentage of successful feeding days increased from 39% (124 of 316) on day 1 to 51% (112 of 218) on day 5. Average ideal protein intake was 54% (95% confidence interval (CI) 52 to 55), energy intake was 66% (95% CI 65 to 68) and volume 75% (95% CI 74 to 76). Factors impeding successful nutrition were the use of the feeding tube to deliver contrast, the need for prokinetic drugs, a high Therapeutic Intervention Score System category and elective admissions. CONCLUSION: The records revealed an unsatisfactory feeding process. A better use of relative successful volume intake, namely increasing the energy and protein density, could enhance the nutritional yield. Factors such as an improper use of tubes and feeding intolerance were related to failure. Meticulous recording of intake and interfering factors helps to uncover inadequacies in ICU feeding practice.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate body composition in surgical and oncological patients: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a commonly used method for the evaluation of body composition. However, BIA estimations are subject to uncertainties.The aim of this systematic review was to explore the variability of empirical prediction equations used in BIA estimations and to evaluate the validity of BIA estimations in adult surgical and oncological patients. SUBJECTS: Studies developing new empirical prediction equations and studies evaluating the validity of BIA estimations compared with a reference method were included. Only studies using BIA devices measuring the entire body were included. Studies that included patients with altered body composition or a disturbed fluid balance and studies written in languages other than English were excluded.To illustrate variability between equations, fixed normal reference values of resistance values were entered into the existing empirical prediction equations of the included studies and the results were plotted in figures. The validity was expressed by the difference in means between BIA estimates and the reference method, and relative difference in %. RESULTS: Substantial variability between equations for groups (including men and women) was found for total body water (TBW) and fat free mass (FFM). The gender-specific existing general equations assume less variability for TBW and FFM. BIA mainly underestimated TBW (range relative difference -18.8% to +7.2%) and FFM (range relative differences -15.2% to +3.8%). Estimates of the fat mass (FM) demonstrated large variability (range relative difference -15.7 to +43.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Application of equations validated in healthy subjects to predict body composition performs less well in oncologic and surgical patients. We suggest that BIA estimations, irrespective of the device, can only be useful when performed longitudinally and under the same standard conditions.

The Critical Nursing Situation Index for safety assessment in intensive care.

OBJECTIVE: The assessment of critical nursing situations can be a valuable tool in the detection of weak elements in the safety of patients and the quality of care in the ICU. A critical nursing situation can be defined as any observable situation, which deviates from good clinical practice and which may potentially lead to an adverse event. The aim of our study was to establish the feasibility, reliability and validity of the Critical Nursing Situation Index (CNSI) as a tool for assessing the safety and the quality of nursing in the ICU. DESIGN: We described the deviations from standards and protocols in daily ICU nursing care, selected those with an implicit, clear risk for the patients and translated them into explicitly observable items. If an item was applicable during observation of the ICU practice, a critical nursing situation could be recorded as either true or false. The reliability of the CNSI was defined in terms of inter-observer agreement. The validity was assessed by exploring the relationship between the nursing time available (more or less than 30 min per patient per hour) and the incidence of critical nursing situations. SETTING: The study was performed in the ICU of a teaching hospital (30 IC beds) in which all disciplines, including cardiothoracic surgery and neurosurgery, were represented. PATIENTS: The CNSI was randomly applied to 83 ICU patients over a period of 3 months (200 times). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The reliability of the index was substantial (Kappa values in the range > or =0.70 to > 0.80). In terms of validity, less nursing time resulted in more critical situations (pooled relative risk (RR) 1.36; 95% confidence limits 1.11/1.67). CONCLUSION: The CNSI is simple to use and has encouraging metric properties, whereas the assessments are closely related to direct patient care. Moreover, the CNSI provides a tool for safety assessment by monitoring potentially dangerous situations that are generally regarded as needing to be avoided.

The quality of Intensive Care nursing before, during, and after the introduction of nurses without ICU-training.

OBJECTIVE: The forecasted shortage of nurses specialized in intensive care seriously threatens the service level in the intensive care units (ICUs). This problem might partly be solved by introducing nurses without ICU experience who can provide basic nursing care to relieve the workload of the ICU nurses. This prospective controlled study was set up to determine whether such an introduction causes a significant shift in the quality of care. DESIGN: A prospective observational study was conducted to measure possible changes in the quality of care by examining the number of predefined nursing errors per patient with an observational instrument, the Critical Nursing Situation Index (CNSI). The CNSI was randomly applied during a preassessment period, an intervention period, and a postassessment period. During the intervention period, 16 full time equivalent nurses were employed with the assignment to assist the ICU nurses with basic care activities for 6 months. SETTING: The study was conducted in a 30-bed ICU at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. ANALYSIS: The effect of the employment of nurses was expressed as the difference in the incidence of CNSI scores between the preassessment period and the intervention period on the basis of the relative risk ratios. The results of the comparison between the preassessment and the postassessment period were used to express the consistency of the measure. RESULTS: The researchers completed 600 CNSI observations in 256 patients in 162 days. Overall incidence rates during the preassessment (13%; 1539/12 222) and postassessment (14%; 1554/11 327) period were comparable, whereas the intervention period showed a diminished overall incidence of 9% (1019/11 395). The overall relative risk (95% CL) was 0.70 (0.56/0.86), indicating a significant risk reduction during the intervention period. CONCLUSION: The employment of nurses without ICU training improved the quality of care. This positive effect was primarily explained by the increase in available nursing time.

Prognostication of neurologic outcome in cardiac arrest patients after mild therapeutic hypothermia: a meta-analysis of the current literature.

PURPOSE: To assess the sensitivity and false positive rate (FPR) of neurological examination and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) to predict poor outcome in adult patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for cohort studies describing the association of clinical neurological examination or SSEPs after return of spontaneous circulation with neurological outcome. Poor outcome was defined as severe disability, vegetative state and death. Sensitivity and FPR were determined. RESULTS: A total of 1,153 patients from ten studies were included. The FPR of a bilaterally absent cortical N20 response of the SSEP could be calculated from nine studies including 492 patients. The SSEP had an FPR of 0.007 (confidence interval, CI, 0.001-0.047) to predict poor outcome. The Glasgow coma score (GCS) motor response was assessed in 811 patients from nine studies. A GCS motor score of 1-2 at 72 h had a high FPR of 0.21 (CI 0.08-0.43). Corneal reflex and pupillary reactivity at 72 h after the arrest were available in 429 and 566 patients, respectively. Bilaterally absent corneal reflexes had an FPR of 0.02 (CI 0.002-0.13). Bilaterally absent pupillary reflexes had an FPR of 0.004 (CI 0.001-0.03). CONCLUSIONS: At 72 h after the arrest the motor response to painful stimuli and the corneal reflexes are not a reliable tool for the early prediction of poor outcome in patients treated with hypothermia. The reliability of the pupillary response to light and the SSEP is comparable to that in patients not treated with hypothermia.

Positive end-expiratory pressure following coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery-related pulmonary complications include alterations in lung mechanics and anomalies in gas exchange. Higher levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) have been suggested to benefit cardiac surgical patients. We compared respiratory compliance, arterial oxygenation and time till tracheal extubation in 2 cohorts of patients weaned from mechanical ventilation with different levels of PEEP after elective and uncomplicated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We hypothesized that higher PEEP levels improve pulmonary compliance and gas exchange in the first hours of weaning from mechanical ventilation, but not to shorten time till tracheal extubation. METHODS: Secondary retrospective analysis of 2 randomized controlled trials: in the first trial patients were weaned with PEEP levels of 10 cmH2O for the first 4 hours followed by PEEP levels of 5 cmH2O until tracheal extubation (high PEEP, HP); and the second trial patients were weaned with PEEP levels of 5 cmH2O during the entire weaning phase (low PEEP, LP). The primary endpoint was pulmonary compliance. Secondary endpoints included arterial oxygenation, duration of mechanical ventilation and postoperative pulmonary complications. RESULTS: The analysis included 121 patients; 60 HP patients and 61 LP patients. Baseline characteristics were similar. Compared to LP patients, HP patients had a better pulmonary compliance, 47.2±14.1 versus 42.7±10.2 ml/cmH2O (P<0.05), and higher levels of PaO2, 18.5±6.6 (138.75±49.5) versus 16.7±5.4 (125.25±40.5) kPa (mmHg) (P<0.05). Patients in the HP group were less frequent in need of supplementary oxygen after ICU discharge. These differences remained present during the entire weaning phase, even after reduction of PEEP. However, HP patients had a longer time till tracheal extubation, 16.9±6.1 versus 10.5±5.0 hours (P<0.001). HP patients had longer durations of postoperative infusion of propofol, 4.9 (2.6-7.4) versus 3.5 (1.8-5.8) hours (P<0.05). There were no differences in use of inotropes. Cumulative fluid balances were slightly higher in HP patients. CONCLUSION: Use of higher PEEP levels after elective uncomplicated CABG improves pulmonary compliance and oxygenation but seems to be associated with a delay in tracheal extubation.

The low therapeutic efficacy of postoperative chest radiographs for surgical intensive care unit patients.

BACKGROUND: The clinical value of postoperative chest radiographs (CXRs) for surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients is largely unknown. In the present study, we determined the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of postoperative CXRs for different surgical subgroups and related their efficacy to the time after ICU admission. METHODS: A prospective, observational study of consecutive postoperative surgical ICU patients was performed during a 10 month period. We restricted our analysis to CXRs obtained within six hours after admission to the ICU. Diagnostic efficacy was defined by the presence of predefined major abnormalities; therapeutic efficacy was defined by predefined actions taken because of any abnormality found on postoperative CXRs. RESULTS: Of 857 surgical ICU patients, 670 (78%) had a postoperative CXR after admission to the ICU. Of these CXRs, 80 were performed for clinical reasons, and 590 were routinely obtained (i.e., these CXRs were made without a reason other than admission to the ICU itself). The diagnostic efficacy of clinically indicated and routinely obtained CXRs was 18% (14/80) and 13% (79/590), respectively. Of all predefined abnormalities found on CXRs, 60% involved the malposition of invasive devices, such as endotracheal tubes or central venous lines. The therapeutic efficacy of clinically indicated and routinely obtained CXRs was 4% (3/80) and 4% (26/590), respectively. While the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of routinely obtained CXRs were not dependent on timing of admission, the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of clinically indicated CXRs was higher for CXRs taken closer to the time of ICU admission. CONCLUSION: Although the diagnostic efficacy of clinically indicated and routinely obtained postoperative CXRs in surgical ICU patients appears to be significant, their therapeutic efficacy is low.

Manual hyperinflation is associated with a low rate of adverse events when performed by experienced and trained nurses in stable critically ill patients--a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Manual hyperinflation (MH) can be performed as part of airway management in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients to mobilize airway secretions. Although previous studies demonstrated MH to be associated with hemodynamic and respiratory instability, we hypothesized MH to cause fewer adverse events (AEs) when performed by experienced and trained nurses in stable critically ill patients. METHODS: The incidence and type of AEs associated with MH were studied in a 28-bed mixed medical-surgical Intensive Care Unit. A difference in mean arterial pressure (MAP) or heart rate (HR) >15%, a decrease in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) >5%, and a change in end-tidal (et)-CO2 >20% were considered AEs. A decrease of MAP to ≤60 mmHg, any new arrhythmia, and a decrease of SpO2 ≤90% were all considered severe AEs. Also, all changes in medication were considered severe AEs. RESULTS: A total of 107 MH maneuvers in 74 patients, performed by 57 nurses, were observed and analyzed. A total of 17 MH maneuvers (16%) were associated with any AE; 7 maneuvers (6%) were associated with a severe AE. Overall, MH did not affect MAP. MH caused a statistically significant but clinically irrelevant increase of HR (from 87±24 to 89±22 bpm). In one patient the MAP dropped from 70 mmHg to 60 mmHg, requiring adjustment of vasopressor therapy; one patient developed ventricular tachycardia requiring electric cardioversion. In general, MH did not affect SpO2. In one patient SpO2 dropped below 90%, requiring additional oxygen supply for 10 minutes. MH caused a statistically significant but clinically irrelevant increase of et-CO2 levels (from 4.4±0.9 to 4.5±1.0 kPa). Five patients developed anxiety/agitation during or shortly after MH, mandating additional sedation in four patients. Occurrence of (severe) AEs was not associated with any specific patient or MH characteristic. CONCLUSION: The rate of hemodynamic and respiratory AEs with MH is low when performed by experienced and trained nurses in stable, critically ill patients. MH, however, may induce or increase anxiety/agitation. We consider MH a safe maneuver in stable ICU patients in our setting.

Ex vivo changes in blood glucose levels seldom change blood glucose control algorithm recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia and glycemic variabilities are associated with adverse outcomes in critically ill patients. Blood glucose control with insulin mandates an adequate and precise assessment of blood glucose levels. Blood glucose levels, however, can change ex vivo after sampling. The aim of this study was to determine whether this phenomenon affects the practice of blood glucose control. METHODS: We performed an observational study in a mixed medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU). ICU nurses were the primary healthcare workers involved in the practice of blood glucose control, and they used an insulin-titration method and blood-sampling algorithm aimed at maintaining blood glucose levels between 5 to 8 mmol/L. RESULTS: Blood glucose levels were measured directly after sampling, as well as after 30 and 60 minutes using the same samples. Blood glucose control algorithm recommendations were scored for each measurement. We collected 450 blood samples from 74 patients (median of 3 [2-8] samples per patient). The mean ex vivo changes in the blood glucose level were rather small (-0.1±1.6 mmol/L (range -1.4 to 0.7) and -0.2±1.6 mmol/L (range -1.3 to 0.5) at 30 and 60 minutes after sampling, respectively; P<0.05). An ex-vivo change in the blood glucose level hardly ever resulted in a change in algorithm recommendation (4% and 6% at 30 and 60 minutes after sampling, respectively). In most cases the algorithm advised a lower insulin infusion speed. CONCLUSION: Ex vivo changes in blood glucose levels, although statistically significant, seem clinically irrelevant.