[Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for capillary leak syndrome during induction chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia].

A 44-year-old woman was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (RUNX1::RUNX1T1 translocation) and received induction chemotherapy with idarubicin hydrochloride and cytosine arabinoside. The pneumonia that had been present since admission worsened, and a drug-induced skin rash appeared. On day 17, she presented with respiratory failure and shock, complicated by hemoconcentration and hypoalbuminemia. This was considered capillary leak syndrome due to pneumonia and drug allergy, so she was started on pulse steroid therapy and IVIG, and was intubated on the same day. On day 18, venovenous-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) was started due to worsening blood gas parameters despite ventilatory management. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was serous, and both blood and sputum cultures yielded negative. The patient was weaned from VV-ECMO on day 26 as the pneumonia improved with recovery of hematopoiesis. She was disoriented, and a CT scan on day 28 revealed cerebral hemorrhage. Her strength recovered with rehabilitation. After induction chemotherapy, RUNX1::RUNX1T1 mRNA was not detected in bone marrow. The patient received consolidation chemotherapy, and has maintained complete remission. Severe respiratory failure during induction chemotherapy for acute leukemia can be fatal, but VV-ECMO may be lifesaving.

Instruments to assess post-intensive care syndrome assessment: a scoping review and modified Delphi method study.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is challenging due to the numerous types of instruments. We herein attempted to identify and propose recommendations for instruments to assess PICS in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review to identify PICS follow-up studies at and after hospital discharge between 2014 and 2022. Assessment instruments used more than two times were included in the modified Delphi consensus process. A modified Delphi meeting was conducted three times by the PICS committee of the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine, and each score was rated as not important (score: 1-3), important, but not critical (4-6), and critical (7-9). We included instruments with ≥ 70% of respondents rating critical and ≤ 15% of respondents rating not important. RESULTS: In total, 6972 records were identified in this scoping review, and 754 studies were included in the analysis. After data extraction, 107 PICS assessment instruments were identified. The modified Delphi meeting reached 20 PICS assessment instrument recommendations: (1) in the physical domain: the 6-min walk test, MRC score, and grip strength, (2) in cognition: MoCA, MMSE, and SMQ, (3) in mental health: HADS, IES-R, and PHQ-9, (4) in the activities of daily living: the Barthel Index, IADL, and FIM, (5) in quality of life: SF-36, SF-12, EQ-5D-5L, 3L, and VAS (6), in sleep and pain: PSQI and Brief Pain Inventory, respectively, and (7) in the PICS-family domain: SF-36, HADS, and IES-R. CONCLUSION: Based on a scoping review and the modified Delphi method, 20 PICS assessment instruments are recommended to assess physical, cognitive, mental health, activities of daily living, quality of life, sleep, and pain in ICU survivors and their families.

Clinical Characteristics and Diagnostic Prediction of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome and Rickettsiosis in the Co-Endemic Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.

Background and Objectives: The Wakayama prefecture is endemic for two types of tick-borne rickettsioses: Japanese spotted fever (JFS) and scrub typhus (ST). Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne hemorrhagic viral disease with a high mortality rate and is often difficult to differentiate from such rickettsioses. SFTS cases have recently increased in Wakayama prefecture. For early diagnosis, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical characterization of such tick-borne infections in the co-endemic area. Materials and Methods: The study included 64 febrile patients diagnosed with tick-borne infection in Wakayama prefecture between January 2013 and May 2022. Medical records of 19 patients with SFTS and 45 with rickettsiosis (JSF, n = 26; ST, n = 19) were retrospectively examined. The receiver operating curve (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to evaluate potential factors for differentiating SFTS from rickettsiosis. Results: Adults aged ≥70 years were most vulnerable to tick-borne infections (median, 75.5 years; interquartile range, 68.5-84 years). SFTS and rickettsiosis occurred mostly between summer and autumn. However, no significant between-group differences were found in age, sex, and comorbidities; 17 (89%) patients with SFTS, but none of those with rickettsiosis, experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Meanwhile, 43 (96%) patients with rickettsiosis, but none of those with SFTS, developed a skin rash. The AUCs of white blood cells (0.97) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (0.98) were very high. Furthermore, the differential diagnosis of SFTS was significantly associated with the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms (AUC 0.95), the absence of a skin rash (AUC 0.98), leukopenia <3.7 × 109/L (AUC 0.95), and low CRP levels < 1.66 mg/dL (AUC 0.98) (p < 0.001 for each factor). Conclusions: Clinical characteristics and standard laboratory parameters can verify the early diagnosis of SFTS in areas where tick-borne infections are endemic.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults after acute coronavirus disease 2019 in a Japanese woman: A case report.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is a rare and emerging syndrome after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To the best of our knowledge, Japanese cases of MIS-A are rarely reported. Here, we describe a case of MIS-A in a 44-year-old Japanese woman presenting with multiorgan dysfunction (i.e., cardiovascular and mucocutaneous involvement) and markedly elevated inflammatory markers 2 weeks after recovery from COVID-19. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins and corticosteroids resolved her symptoms. On the 13th day, she was discharged from the hospital with no recurrences on follow-up. This study highlights the importance of recognizing this emerging syndrome when treating patients with multiorgan dysfunction after COVID-19.

Etiology and mortality in severe acute pancreatitis: A multicenter study in Japan.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) has a high mortality rate despite ongoing attempts to improve prognosis through a various therapeutic modalities. This study aimed to delineate etiology-based routes that may guide clinical decisions for the treatment of SAP. METHODS: Using data from a recent retrospective multicenter study in Japan, we analyzed the association between clinical outcomes, mainly in-hospital mortality and pancreatic infection, and various etiologies while considering confounding factors. We performed additional multivariate analyses and built decision tree models. RESULTS: The 1097 participating patients were classified into the following groups by etiology: alcohol (n = 436, 39.7%); cholelithiasis (n = 230, 21.0%); idiopathic (n = 227, 20.7%); and others (n = 204, 18.6%). Mortality at hospital discharge was 8.4%, 12.2%, 16.7%, and 16.2% in the alcohol, cholelithiasis, idiopathic, and others groups, respectively. According to multivariable analysis, early enteral nutrition (EN) was significantly associated with reduced in-hospital mortality only in the cholelithiasis group. However, there was a consistent association between age and the need for mechanical ventilation and increased mortality, regardless of etiology. Our decision tree models presented different contributing factors depending on the etiology and patient background. Interaction analysis showed that EN and the use of prophylactic antibiotics may influence these results differently according to etiology. CONCLUSIONS: No study has yet used comprehensive models to investigate etiology-related prognostic factors for SAP; our results can, therefore, be used as a reference for improving clinical decisions.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on inflammation in patients with sepsis requiring mechanical ventilation: a sub-analysis of a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Administration of dexmedetomidine has been reported to improve inflammatory response in animals. We explored the effects of administering dexmedetomidine on the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin, and thus on inflammation, in patients with sepsis enrolled in a randomized clinical trial. METHODS: The DESIRE trial was a multicenter randomized clinical trial in which adult patients with sepsis were sedated with (DEX group) or without (non-DEX group) dexmedetomidine while on mechanical ventilators. As a prespecified sub-analysis, we compared CRP and procalcitonin levels during the first 14 days of treatment between the two groups. The 14-day mortality rate, albumin level, and the number of patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were also assessed. We used generalized linear models to estimate the differences in these outcomes between groups. We also used the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate the 14-day mortality rate and the log-rank test to assess between-group differences. RESULTS: Our study comprised 201 patients: 100 in the DEX group and 101 in the non-DEX group. CRP and procalcitonin levels were lower in the DEX vs. non-DEX group during the 14-day treatment period [CRP-range, 5.6-20.3 vs. 8.3-21.1 mg/dL (P = 0.03); procalcitonin-range, 1.2-37.4 vs. 1.7-52.9 ng/mL (P = 0.04)]. Albumin levels were higher in the DEX group (range, 2.3-2.6 g/dL) than in the non-DEX group (range, 2.1-2.7 g/dL; P = 0.01). The percentage of patients with DIC did not significantly differ between the groups (range, 21-59% and 17-56% for the DEX and non-DEX groups, respectively; P = 0.49). The 14-day mortality rates in the DEX and non-DEX groups were 13 and 21%, respectively (P = 0.16). CONCLUSION: Sedation using dexmedetomidine reduced inflammation in patients with sepsis requiring mechanical ventilation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01760967 . Registered on 4 January 2013.

The Association Between Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Scores and Mortality in Patients With Sepsis During the First Week: The JSEPTIC DIC Study.

OBJECTIVE: Predicting prognosis is a complex process, particularly in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores for individual organs during the first week of admission and the in-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis. METHODS: This study was a post hoc evaluation of the Japan Septic Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation study and included patients admitted to 42 intensive care units in Japan for severe sepsis or septic shock, between January 2011 and December 2013. We assessed the relationship between the organ and total SOFA scores on days 1, 3, and 7 following admission and the in-hospital mortality using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We evaluated 2732 patients and found the in-hospital mortality rate was 29.1%. The mean age of the patients (standard deviation) was 70.5 (14.1) years, and the major primary site of infection was the abdomen (33.6%). The central nervous system (CNS) SOFA score exhibited the strongest relationship with mortality on days 1 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40-1.59), 3 (aOR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.62-1.89), and 7 (aOR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.77-2.10). The coagulation SOFA scores showed a weak correlation with mortality on day 1, but a strong correlation with mortality on day 7 (aOR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.87-2.24). CONCLUSIONS: The CNS SOFA scores were associated with mortality in patients with severe sepsis on days 1, 3, and 7 following hospitalization. The coagulation SOFA score was associated with mortality on day 7. In clinical situations, the CNS SOFA scores during the acute phase and the CNS SOFA and coagulation SOFA scores during the subsequent phases should be evaluated in order to determine patient prognosis.

The effect of positive-end-expiratory pressure on stroke volume variation: An experimental study in dogs.

Stroke volume variation (SVV) may be affected by ventilation settings. However, it is unclear whether positive-end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) affects SVV independently of the effect of driving pressure. We aimed to investigate the effect of driving pressure and PEEP on SVV under various preload conditions using beagle dogs as the animal model. We prepared three preload model, baseline, mild and moderate haemorrhage model. Mild and moderate haemorrhage models were created in nine anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated dogs by sequentially removing 10 mL/kg, and then an additional 10 mL/kg of blood, respectively. We measured cardiac output, stroke volume (SV), SVV, heart rate, central venous pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the mean arterial pressure under varying ventilation settings. Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) was incrementally increased by 4 cmH2 O, from 9 cmH2 O to 21 cmH2 O, under PEEP values of 4, 8, and 12 cmH2 O. The driving pressure did not significantly decrease SV under each preload condition and PEEP; however, significantly increased SVV. In contrast, the increased PEEP decreased SV and increased SVV under each preload condition and driving pressure, but these associations were not statistically significant. According to multiple regression analysis, an increase in PEEP and decrease in preload significantly decreased SV (P < .05). In addition, an increase in the driving pressure and decrease in preload significantly increased SVV (P < .05). Driving pressure had more influence than PEEP on SVV.

Effect of a bundle-approach intervention against contamination of blood culture in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: To prevent contamination when taking blood culture, there are various effective interventions. Whether there is greater efficacy by using a combination of these interventions has not been widely evaluated. METHODS: Our six-element intervention bundle aimed to prevent contamination of blood culture in our emergency department (ED). Elements were: use of 1% chlorhexidine alcohol, alcohol wiping, hand hygiene, using sterile gloves, using holed sterile cover, and selection of upper extremities as the site of venipuncture. We compared the contamination rate of blood culture between the pre- and the post-intervention periods among all cases with two or more blood cultures taken in our ED. We also evaluated the rate of patients receiving vancomycin among all those transferred to the hospital from the ED. RESULTS: During the pre- and post-intervention periods, 460 and 450 cases were included in analysis, respectively. Contamination of blood culture occurred in 29 pre-intervention cases (6.3%) and five post-interventional cases (1.1%) (relative risk 0.18, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.45; P < 0.001). After bundle implementation, there was significant increase in adherence to using 1% chlorhexidine alcohol, alcohol wiping, hand hygiene, and using holed sterile covers. Among patients admitted to hospital, fewer patients received vancomycin during the post-intervention period than in the pre-intervention period (5.4% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our intervention bundle dramatically reduced the contamination rate when drawing blood culture in our ED.

Prehospital quick sequential organ failure assessment score to predict in-hospital mortality among patients with trauma.

OBJECTIVE: The quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score is calculated from three variables measured at the scene of trauma-systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate and consciousness. This study aimed to evaluate the discriminative ability of the prehospital qSOFA score for in-hospital mortality in patients with trauma. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study used data from 42,722 patients with trauma included in a Japanese nationwide trauma registry. All included patients were aged ≥18 years old and transferred to hospitals from the scenes of injury. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The included patients had a mean age of 59.4 ±â€¯21.5 years and a male predominance (63%). In-hospital mortality occurred in 2612 patients (6%), while 2-day mortality occurred in 1189 of 42,339 patients (3%). When patients were stratified by qSOFA scores, in-hospital mortality rates of 0.9% (105/11783), 5% (941/17839), 12% (1280/11132) and 15% (286/1968) were associated with qSOFA scores of 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively (P < 0.0001 for trend). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of the qSOFA score for in-hospital mortality was 0.70 (95% confidence interval: 0.69-0.71). A qSOFA score cutoff value ≥1 yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 0.96 and 0.29, respectively, overall, and a sensitivity of 0.99 in patients younger than 65 years. CONCLUSIONS: The prehospital qSOFA score was strongly associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with trauma. A prehospital qSOFA score cutoff of ≥1 can be used to identify patients at a very low risk of death, especially in younger age groups.

Mortality Effects of Prolonged Hemoperfusion Therapy Using a Polymyxin B-Immobilized Fiber Column for Patients with Septic Shock: A Sub-Analysis of the DESIRE Trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The optimal duration of hemoperfusion therapy with a polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column has not yet been verified. METHODS: This analysis examined whether hemoperfusion therapy with a polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column lasting longer than 2 h (prolonged polymyxin) improved outcomes for patients with septic shock compared to 2-h polymyxin therapy (sub-analysis of data from the DESIRE trial). RESULTS: The 2-h and prolonged polymyxin groups contained 22 and 14 patients, respectively. Both groups had similar characteristics. The polymyxin duration per session in the prolonged polymyxin group was significantly longer (median, 5.5 h) than in the 2-h polymyxin group (p < 0.01). The 28-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the 2-h polymyxin group (7, 31.8%) than in the prolonged polymyxin group (0, 0%; p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Prolonged polymyxin therapy might be associated with better clinical outcomes than 2-h polymyxin therapy in patients with septic shock. Video Journal Club "Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco" at http://www.karger.com/?doi=491744.

Prehospital quick sequential organ failure assessment as a tool to predict in-hospital mortality.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score for in-hospital mortality among patients transported by physician-staffed helicopters. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective observational study using the physician-staffed helicopter registry data between 2003 and 2016. We calculated the qSOFA scores based on the patients' vital signs, which were measured on the scene. The tool's discriminatory ability was determined using the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic. RESULTS: A total of 1849 patients with a mean age of 63.0 (standard deviation [SD], 18.4) years were included in this study. The diagnostic categories included were trauma and nontrauma cases (1038 [56%] and 811 [44%], respectively). In-hospital mortality was documented in 169 (9%) patients. Meanwhile, the in-hospital mortality rates among patients with qSOFA scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 5/411 (1%), 69/797 (9%), 71/541 (13%), and 24/100 (24%), respectively (P<0.0001 for trend). If the cutoff point is ≥1, the sensitivity and specificity of the qSOFA scores were 0.97 and 0.24, respectively. The area under the curve of the qSOFA scores was 0.67 for all patients, whereas that for trauma patients was 0.75. CONCLUSION: An increase in the qSOFA score is associated with a gradual increase in the in-hospital mortality rate among all patients. In particular, a very low mortality rate was observed among patients with a qSOFA score of 0. The qSOFA score predicted the in-hospital mortality of patients with trauma well.

Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Mortality and Ventilator-Free Days in Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation With Sepsis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Dexmedetomidine provides sedation for patients undergoing ventilation; however, its effects on mortality and ventilator-free days have not been well studied among patients with sepsis. Objectives: To examine whether a sedation strategy with dexmedetomidine can improve clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis undergoing ventilation. Design, Setting, and Participants: Open-label, multicenter randomized clinical trial conducted at 8 intensive care units in Japan from February 2013 until January 2016 among 201 consecutive adult patients with sepsis requiring mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours. Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive either sedation with dexmedetomidine (n = 100) or sedation without dexmedetomidine (control group; n = 101). Other agents used in both groups were fentanyl, propofol, and midazolam. Main Outcomes and Measures: The co-primary outcomes were mortality and ventilator-free days (over a 28-day duration). Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (days 1, 2, 4, 6, 8), sedation control, occurrence of delirium and coma, intensive care unit stay duration, renal function, inflammation, and nutrition state were assessed as secondary outcomes. Results: Of the 203 screened patients, 201 were randomized. The mean age was 69 years (SD, 14 years); 63% were male. Mortality at 28 days was not significantly different in the dexmedetomidine group vs the control group (19 patients [22.8%] vs 28 patients [30.8%]; hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.38-1.22; P = .20). Ventilator-free days over 28 days were not significantly different between groups (dexmedetomidine group: median, 20 [interquartile range, 5-24] days; control group: median, 18 [interquartile range, 0.5-23] days; P = .20). The dexmedetomidine group had a significantly higher rate of well-controlled sedation during mechanical ventilation (range, 17%-58% vs 20%-39%; P = .01); other outcomes were not significantly different between groups. Adverse events occurred in 8 (8%) and 3 (3%) patients in the dexmedetomidine and control groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients requiring mechanical ventilation, the use of dexmedetomidine compared with no dexmedetomidine did not result in statistically significant improvement in mortality or ventilator-free days. However, the study may have been underpowered for mortality, and additional research may be needed to evaluate this further. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01760967.

Post-intensive care syndrome follow-up system after hospital discharge: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND: Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is the long-lasting impairment of physical functions, cognitive functions, and mental health after intensive care. Although a long-term follow-up is essential for the successful management of PICS, few reviews have summarized evidence for the efficacy and management of the PICS follow-up system. MAIN TEXT: The PICS follow-up system includes a PICS follow-up clinic, home visitations, telephone or mail follow-ups, and telemedicine. The first PICS follow-up clinic was established in the U.K. in 1993 and its use spread thereafter. There are currently no consistent findings on the efficacy of PICS follow-up clinics. Under recent evidence and recommendations, attendance at a PICS follow-up clinic needs to start within three months after hospital discharge. A multidisciplinary team approach is important for the treatment of PICS from various aspects of impairments, including the nutritional status. We classified face-to-face and telephone-based assessments for a PICS follow-up from recent recommendations. Recent findings on medications, rehabilitation, and nutrition for the treatment of PICS were summarized. CONCLUSIONS: This narrative review aimed to summarize the PICS follow-up system after hospital discharge and provide a comprehensive approach for the prevention and treatment of PICS.

Postintensive care syndrome family: A comprehensive review.

Families of critically ill patients are predisposed to tremendous burdens when their relatives are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Postintensive care syndrome family (PICS-F) can be described as a devastated life, encompassing psychological, physical, and socioeconomical burdens that begin with the emotional impact experienced by the family when the patient is admitted to the ICU. PICS-F was primarily proposed as a clinically significant psychological impairment, but it needs to be extended beyond the psychological impairment of the family to include physical and socioeconomical impairments in the future. The prevalence of physiological problems including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic syndrome is 20-40%, and that of non-physiological problems including fatigue is 15% at 6 months after the ICU stay. Assessment of PICS-F was frequently conducted at 3- or 6-month points, although the beginning of the evaluation was based on different assessment points among each of the studies. Families of ICU patients need to be given and understand accurate information, such as the patient's diagnosis, planned care, and prognosis. Prevention of PICS-F requires a continuous bundle of multifaceted and/or multidisciplinary interventions including providing a family information leaflet, ICU diary, communication facilitators, supportive grief care, and follow-up, for the patient and families from during the ICU stay to after discharge from the ICU. This is the first comprehensive review of PICS-F to address the concept, risk factors, assessment tools, prevalence, and management to prevent PICS-F to facilitate acute care physicians' understanding of PICS-F.

Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Due to Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

Few cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) have been treated with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO), and its role remains unclear. A 73-year-old Japanese woman presented with multiple organ failure (MOF) due to SFTS, including liver, neural, hematologic, renal, and ARDS. VV-ECMO for refractory hypoxemia under lung-protective ventilation with prone positioning led to gradual respiratory improvement, and she was successfully weaned on the 19th day of hospitalization. However, she died from persistent MOF on the 60th day of hospitalization. VV-ECMO contributed to recovery from ARDS but not from the ultimate cause of death, i.e., MOF. SFTS could have variable MOFs with different disease trajectories, which influence the decision for VV-ECMO.

The impact of a preoperative nurse-led orientation program on postoperative delirium after cardiovascular surgery: a retrospective single-center observational study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium in intensive care is common and associated with mortality, cognitive impairment, prolonged hospital stays and high costs. We evaluate whether a nurse-led orientation program could reduce the incidence of delirium in the intensive care unit after cardiovascular surgery. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled patients admitted to the intensive care unit for planned cardiovascular surgery between January 2020 and December 2021. A nurse-led orientation program based on a preoperative visit was routinely introduced from January 2021. We assessed the association between these visits and postoperative delirium in the intensive care unit. We also assessed predictors of postoperative delirium with baseline and intraoperative characteristics. RESULTS: Among 253 patients with planned cardiovascular surgery, 128 (50.6%) received preoperative visits. Valve surgery comprised 44.7%, coronary surgery 31.6%, and aortic surgery 20.9%. Cardiopulmonary bypass use and transcatheter surgery were 60.5% and 12.3%, respectively. Incidence of delirium was lower in patients that received preoperative visits, and median hospital stay was shorter than in those without visits (18 patients [14.1%] vs 34 patients [27.2%], P < 0.01; 14 days vs 17 days, P < 0.01). After adjusting predefined confounders, preoperative visits were independently associated with decreased incidence of delirium (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.45; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.22-0.84). Other predictors of delirium were higher European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II score and lower minimum intraoperative cerebral oxygen saturation. CONCLUSIONS: A preoperative nurse-led orientation program was associated with reduction of postoperative delirium and could be effective against postoperative delirium after cardiovascular surgery. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trial Registry no. UMIN000048142. Registered 22, July, 2022, retrospectively registered, https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000054862 .

B cell receptor repertoire analysis from autopsy samples of COVID-19 patients.

Neutralizing antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are being developed world over. We investigated the possibility of producing artificial antibodies from the formalin fixation and paraffin-embedding (FFPE) lung lobes of a patient who died by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The B-cell receptors repertoire in the lung tissue where SARS-CoV-2 was detected were considered to have highly sensitive virus-neutralizing activity, and artificial antibodies were produced by combining the most frequently detected heavy and light chains. Some neutralizing effects against the SARS-CoV-2 were observed, and mixing two different artificial antibodies had a higher tendency to suppress the virus. The neutralizing effects were similar to the immunoglobulin G obtained from healthy donors who had received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Therefore, the use of FFPE lung tissue, which preserves the condition of direct virus sensitization, to generate artificial antibodies may be useful against future unknown infectious diseases.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Worsened Activities of Daily Living Status Three Months after Intensive Care Unit Discharge among Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: We aimed to determine risk factors associated with worsened activity of daily living (ADL) status three months after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. Methods: In this prospective, observational study, we enrolled critically ill adult patients that were emergently admitted to an ICU. We assessed ADL status by Barthel index score prior to ICU admission and three months after ICU discharge. The primary outcome was worsened ADL status, defined as a ≥10 decrease in Barthel index score. Results: We enrolled 102 patients (median age was 72 years old, 55% were male, and 87% received mechanical ventilation during ICU stay), and 42 patients (41%) had worsened ADL status three months after discharge from ICU. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age (>70 years old; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.68; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.33−10.19), high burden of chronic illness (aOR 4.11; 95%CI 1.43−11.81), and longer duration of mechanical ventilation (≥4 days; aOR 2.83; 95%CI 1.04−7.69) were independent risk factors for worsened ADL status at three months. Conclusions: Almost half of the critically ill adult patients in this cohort had worsened ADL status after ICU discharge. Older age, high burden of chronic illness, and longer duration of mechanical ventilation were risk factors for worsened ADL status.

Comparison between midazolam and propofol in acute phase for ventilated patients with sepsis: a post-hoc analysis of the DESIRE trial.

Aim: There are few assessments of sedatives during the acute phase under sedation protocols for patients with sepsis. We aimed to compare the influence of different sedation strategies using midazolam and propofol under light sedation on clinical outcomes of ventilated patients with sepsis. Methods: This study was a post-hoc analysis of data from the dexmedetomidine for sepsis in the ICU Randomized Evaluation (DESIRE) trial. Patients were divided into propofol and midazolam groups based on continuously used drug, and sedation control between groups compared on day three. We assessed the incidence of delirium, length of ICU stay, number of ventilator-free days within the first 28 days, and mortality after 28 days. Results: The midazolam and propofol groups consisted of 51 and 66 patients, respectively. Both groups had similar characteristics, except for age and emergency surgery. The number of well-controlled sedation patients in the propofol group on day three was significantly higher than that in the midazolam group (odds ratio [OR] 3.9, 95% CI [1.30, 11.7]). The incidence of daily coma and delirium within the initial week was different between groups and increased with midazolam administration (P = 0.0138). The number of Confusion Assessment Method for ICU-positive patients was significantly higher in the midazolam group than in the propofol group (OR 5.71, 95% CI [2.30, 14.2]). Conclusion: In patients with sepsis required mechanical ventilation, sedation with midazolam based on a light sedation protocol may be associated with inappropriate sedation during the acute phase, with increased coma and delirium as compared to propofol.