Peripheral muscular ultrasound as outcome assessment tool in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation: An observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Survivors of critical illness experience significant skeletal muscle wasting that may predict clinical outcome. Ultrasound (US) is a noninvasive method that can measure muscle quadriceps muscle layer thickness (QMLT) at the bedside. The aim of this study was to determine the muscle loss assessed by ultrasonography (US) of the quadriceps femoris muscle in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation and its relationship with hospital outcomes. METHODS: This study involved patients ≥18 years admitted to the intensive care unit who needed mechanical ventilation for at least 48 h. The quadriceps muscle layer thickness (QMLT) in the two-thirds of the thigh was quantified using bedside US. The QMLT of the left and right legs on the first (D1), third (D3), and seventh (D7) days were measured. RESULTS: US quadriceps thickness measurements were performed in 74 critically ill patients. The mean age was 62.3 ± 19.5 years, 54.1% of the patients were men, with a BMI of 25.5 ± 4.6 kg/m2, SAPS 3 of 55.2 ± 17.2, and NRS of 3.2 ± 1.0. The percentage muscle thickness declined at the right leg in 15% (95%CI, 10.5%-19.4%), and 12.7% (95%CI, 9.1%-16.3%) at the left leg from the first to the seventh day. Receiver operating characteristic showed cutoff value in muscle thickness of ≤1.64 cm on day 7 could predict survival (area under then curve = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.582-0.801). In Cox regression after adjusting, the probability of patients remaining on mechanical ventilation was higher with ≤1.64 cm loss of thigh muscle thickness on day 7; HR = 2.1 (95% CI 1.1-3.8, P = 0.017). The same occurred about ICU survival probability; HR = 3.7 (95% CI 1.2 to 11.5) and hospital survival probability; HR = 4.5 (95% CI 1.5 to 13.7). CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of QMLT using US showed that critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation presented with muscle wasting and greater loss of muscle thickness was associated with worse outcomes.

Referral to immediate postoperative care in an intensive care unit from the perspective of anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians: a cross-sectional questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Due to the high cost and insufficient offer, the request for Intensive Care (ICU) beds for postoperative recovery needs adequate criteria. Therefore, we studied the characteristics of patients referred to postoperative care at an ICU from the perspective of anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians. METHODS: A questionnaire on referrals to postoperative intensive care was applied to physicians at congresses in Brazil. Anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians who agreed to fill out the questionnaire were included. The questionnaire consisted of hypothetical clinical scenarios and cases for participants to choose which would be the priority for referral to the ICU. RESULTS: 360 physicians participated in the study, with median time of 10 (5-18) years after graduation. Of the interviewees, 36.4% were anesthesiologists, 30.0% surgeons, and 33.6% intensive care physicians. We found that anesthesiologists were more conservative, and surgeons less conservative in ICU referrals. As to patients with risk of bleeding, 75.0% of the surgeons would refer them to the ICU, in contrast with 52.1% of the intensive care physicians, and 43.5% of the anesthesiologists (p < 0.001). As to elderly persons with limited reserve, 62.0% of the surgeons would refer them to the ICU, in contrast with 47.1% of the intensive care physicians, and 22.1% of the anesthesiologists (p < 0.001). As to patients with risk of respiratory complications, 64.5% of the surgeons would recommend the ICU, versus 43.0% of the intensive care physicians, and 32.1% of the anesthesiologists (p < 0.001). Intensive care physicians classified priorities better in indicating ICU, and the main risk indicator was the ASA physical status in all specialties (p < 0.001). There was no agreement among the specialties and surgeries on prioritizing post-operative intensive care. CONCLUSION: Anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians presented different perspectives on postoperative referral to the ICU.

Vasopressors and Nutrition Therapy: Safe Dose for the Outset of Enteral Nutrition?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with hemodynamic instability need to receive intensive treatment as fluid replacement and vasoactive drugs. In the meantime, it is supposed to initiate nutritional therapy within 24 to 48 hours after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), as an essential part of patient's intensive care and better outcomes. However, there are many controversies tangential to the prescription of enteral nutrition (EN) concomitant to the use of vasopressor and its doses. In this way, the present study aimed to identify what the literature presents of evidence to guide the clinical practice concerning the safe dose of vasopressors for the initiation of nutritional therapy in critically ill patients. METHODS: This review was carried out in PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Medline databases. The descriptors were used to perform the search strategy: Critical Care, Intensive Care Units, Vasoconstrictor Agents, and Enteral Nutrition. Inclusion criteria were patients of both genders, over 18 years of age, using vasoactive drugs, with the possibility of receiving EN therapy, and articles written in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. In addition, exclusion criteria were case reports, non-papers, and repeated papers. RESULTS: 10 articles met our inclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: It was observed that there are many controversies about the supply of EN in critically ill patients using vasopressor, especially about the safe dose, and it was not possible to identify a cutoff value for the beginning therapy. Despite the drug doses, clinical signs are still the most important parameters in the evaluation of EN tolerance.

Ultrasonography to assess body composition: Relevance of training.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relevance of ultrasonography training by non-experts carrying out quadriceps muscle mass assessment. METHODS: Two non-expert evaluators were trained by two radiologists on the basic principles of ultrasonography and quadriceps muscle measurements. Afterward, they performed assessments on 30 healthy volunteers to determine interobserver agreement, considering two landmarks (two-thirds of the femoral distance, and 10 cm above the patella), which were tested by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: In all, 342 measurements were acquired. Better ICC data were seen for the muscle at two-thirds (ICC = 0.74-0.86) of the landmark than at the 10-cm landmark (ICC = 0.63-0.91). However, the thickness measurements indicated inadequate agreement (ICC = 0.71). The ICC values for both the rectus femoris area and thickness progressively increased when comparing the first 10 measurements with the last 10 for the two-thirds landmark. For the 10-cm landmark, worse data were observed in the last measurements, perhaps due to the increased number of obese volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements at the 10-cm landmark are more difficult to acquire, especially in the obese. Intensive training for non-expert examiners is mandatory.

Current technologies in body composition assessment: advantages and disadvantages.

The interest in non-invasive methods of body composition assessment is on the rise in health care, especially because of its association with clinical outcomes. Technology has revolutionized our understanding of body composition abnormalities, clinical prognostication, and disease follow-up, but translation to bedside is limited, especially in terms of cost effectiveness. Computed tomography gained increased attention in cancer and sarcopenia studies, for instance. Other methods also have interesting features and applications, including bedside ultrasonography, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and dual x-ray absorptiometry. Compelling evidence indicates these methods can be used to accurately and precisely measure skeletal muscle mass, adipose tissue, and edema; diagnose malnutrition-related diseases; and aid in determining prognoses. To apply this technology properly, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each technique in specific situations of interest. This review introduces concepts and reference studies published in the scientific literature about these techniques and describes important limitations and considerations necessary to incorporate these methods into clinical practice.

EARLY ORAL FEEDING POST-UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT RESECTION AND PRIMARY ANASTOMOSIS IN ONCOLOGY.

BACKGROUND: The practice of starving patients in the immediate period after upper gastrointestinal surgery is widespread. Early oral intake has been shown to be feasible and may result in faster recovery and decrease length of hospital. AIM: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of oral nutrition on postoperative early feeding after upper gastrointestinal surgeries. METHODS: Observational cohort design study with convenience retrospective data in both genders, over 18 years, undergoing to total gastrectomy and/or elective esophagectomy. They have received oral or enteral nutrition in less than 48 h after surgery, and among those who started with enteral nutrition, the oral feeding up to seven days. RESULTS: The study was performed in 161 patients, 24 (14.9%) submitted to esophagectomy, 132 (82%) to total gastrectomy and five (3.1%) to esophagogastrectomy. Was observed good dietary acceptance and low percentage (29%) of gastrointestinal intolerances, more pronounced among those with enteral diet. Most of the patients did not present postoperative complications, 11 (6.8%) were reopened, five (3.1%) had fistulas, three (1.9%) wound dehiscence, three (1.9%) fistula more wound dehiscence and six (3.7%) other non-infectious complications. CONCLUSION: Early oral diet is safe and viable for patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Bedside ultrasound is a practical measurement tool for assessing muscle mass. / Ultrassom à beira do leito como ferramenta prática para avaliação da massa muscular.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intra- and inter-reliability and the ease of measuring the quadriceps muscle thickness using bedside ultrasound. METHODS: This is a prospective, observational study. The assessment of quadriceps muscle thickness was performed at two reference points and was quantified using portable B-mode ultrasound in two healthy volunteers. For standardization of measurements and validation of image collections, the team was trained through theoretical and practical classes, with a 6-hour workload. RESULTS: A total of 112 images were examined by the coach and compared with the trainees. Pearson's correlation analysis found an excellent relationship between the coach and all trainees (R2 > 0.90). The best association was between the coach and the dietitians (R2: 0.99; p < 0.001), and the worst association was between the coach and the medical trainees (R2: 0.92; p < 0.001). In the Bland-Altman comparison, the highest error rate found between coach and trainees was 5.12% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.64-12.37), and the lowest was 1.01% (95%CI 0.72 - 2.58); the highest bias of the values described was -0.12 ± 0.19, and the lowest was -0.01 ± 0.04. CONCLUSION: The data analyzed showed a good correlation between the measurements made by the coach and trainees, indicating that ultrasound of the quadriceps muscle is a viable and easily applicable tool.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a intra e interconfiabilidade, e a facilidade de medir a espessura muscular do quadríceps, usando ultrassom à beira do leito. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, observacional. A avaliação da espessura muscular do quadríceps foi realizada em dois pontos de referência e quantificada com ultrassom portátil em modo B em dois voluntários saudáveis. Para padronização das medidas e validação das coletas das imagens, foi realizada capacitação da equipe por meio de treinamentos com aulas teóricas e práticas, com carga horária de 6 horas. RESULTADOS: Foram examinadas 112 imagens pelo treinador e comparadas com os alunos. A correlação de Person encontrou excelente relação entre o treinador e todos os alunos (R2 > 0,90). A melhor associação foi entre o treinador e os nutricionistas (R2: 0,99; p < 0,001), e a pior, entre o treinador e alunos médicos (R2: 0,92; p < 0,001). Quanto à comparação de Bland-Altman, a maior porcentagem de erro encontrada entre treinador e alunos foi de 5,12% (IC95% 3,64 - 12,37) e a menor, 1,01% (IC95% 0,72 - 2,58); o maior viés dos valores descrito foi -0,12 ± 0,19, e o menor, -0,01 ± 0,04. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados analisados mostraram boa correlação entre as medidas feitas pelo instrutor e alunos, mostrando que o ultrassom de músculo quadríceps é uma ferramenta viável e de fácil aplicabilidade.

Epidemiologia e desfecho dos pacientes de alto risco cirúrgico admitidos em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil / Epidemiology and outcome of high-surgical-risk patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Brazil

RESUMO Objetivo: Definir o perfil epidemiológico e os principais determinantes de morbimortalidade dos pacientes cirúrgicos não cardíacos de alto risco no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, observacional e multicêntrico. Todos os pacientes cirúrgicos não cardíacos admitidos nas unidades de terapia intensiva, ou seja, considerados de alto risco, no período de 1 mês, foram avaliados e acompanhados diariamente por, no máximo, 7 dias na unidade de terapia intensiva, para determinação de complicações. As taxas de mortalidade em 28 dias de pós-operatório, na unidade de terapia intensiva e hospitalar foram avaliadas. Resultados: Participaram 29 unidades de terapia intensiva onde foram realizadas cirurgias em 25.500 pacientes, dos quais 904 (3,5%) de alto risco (intervalo de confiança de 95% - IC95% 3,3% - 3,8%), tendo sido incluídos no estudo. Dos pacientes envolvidos, 48,3% eram de unidades de terapia intensiva privadas e 51,7% de públicas. O tempo de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva foi de 2,0 (1,0 - 4,0) dias e hospitalar de 9,5 (5,4 - 18,6) dias. As taxas de complicações foram 29,9% (IC95% 26,4 - 33,7) e mortalidade em 28 dias pós-cirurgia 9,6% (IC95% 7,4 - 12,1). Os fatores independentes de risco para complicações foram Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3; razão de chance − RC = 1,02; IC95% 1,01 - 1,03) e Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) da admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva (RC =1,17; IC95% 1,09 - 1,25), tempo de cirurgia (RC = 1,001; IC95% 1,000 - 1,002) e cirurgias de emergências (RC = 1,93; IC95% 1,10 - 3,38). Em adição, foram associados com mortalidade em 28 dias idade (RC = 1,032; IC95% 1,011 - 1,052) SAPS 3 (RC = 1,041; IC95% 1,107 - 1,279), SOFA (RC = 1,175; IC95% 1,069 - 1,292) e cirurgias emergenciais (RC = 2,509; IC95% 1,040 - 6,051). Conclusão: Pacientes com escores prognósticos mais elevados, idosos, tempo cirúrgico e cirurgias emergenciais estiveram fortemente associados a maior mortalidade em 28 dias e mais complicações durante permanência em unidade de terapia intensiva.

ABSTRACT Objective: To define the epidemiological profile and the main determinants of morbidity and mortality in noncardiac high surgical risk patients in Brazil. Methods: This was a prospective, observational and multicenter study. All noncardiac surgical patients admitted to intensive care units, i.e., those considered high risk, within a 1-month period were evaluated and monitored daily for a maximum of 7 days in the intensive care unit to determine complications. The 28-day postoperative, intensive care unit and hospital mortality rates were evaluated. Results: Twenty-nine intensive care units participated in the study. Surgeries were performed in 25,500 patients, of whom 904 (3.5%) were high-risk (95% confidence interval - 95%CI 3.3% - 3.8%) and were included in the study. Of the participating patients, 48.3% were from private intensive care units, and 51.7% were from public intensive care units. The length of stay in the intensive care unit was 2.0 (1.0 - 4.0) days, and the length of hospital stay was 9.5 (5.4 - 18.6) days. The complication rate was 29.9% (95%CI 26.4 - 33.7), and the 28-day postoperative mortality rate was 9.6% (95%CI 7.4 - 12.1). The independent risk factors for complications were the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3; odds ratio - OR = 1.02; 95%CI 1.01 - 1.03) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) on admission to the intensive care unit (OR = 1.17; 95%CI 1.09 - 1.25), surgical time (OR = 1.001, 95%CI 1.000 - 1.002) and emergency surgeries (OR = 1.93, 95%CI, 1.10 - 3.38). In addition, there were associations with 28-day mortality (OR = 1.032; 95%CI 1.011 - 1.052), SAPS 3 (OR = 1.041; 95%CI 1.107 - 1.279), SOFA (OR = 1.175, 95%CI 1.069 - 1.292) and emergency surgeries (OR = 2.509; 95%CI 1.040 - 6.051). Conclusion: Higher prognostic scores, elderly patients, longer surgical times and emergency surgeries were strongly associated with higher 28-day mortality and more complications during the intensive care unit stay.

Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part 2.

Perspectives on invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support for critically ill patients are evolving, as much evidence indicates that ventilation may have positive effects on patient survival and the quality of the care provided in intensive care units in Brazil. For those reasons, the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB) and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia - SBPT), represented by the Mechanical Ventilation Committee and the Commission of Intensive Therapy, respectively, decided to review the literature and draft recommendations for mechanical ventilation with the goal of creating a document for bedside guidance as to the best practices on mechanical ventilation available to their members. The document was based on the available evidence regarding 29 subtopics selected as the most relevant for the subject of interest. The project was developed in several stages, during which the selected topics were distributed among experts recommended by both societies with recent publications on the subject of interest and/or significant teaching and research activity in the field of mechanical ventilation in Brazil. The experts were divided into pairs that were charged with performing a thorough review of the international literature on each topic. All the experts met at the Forum on Mechanical Ventilation, which was held at the headquarters of AMIB in São Paulo on August 3 and 4, 2013, to collaboratively draft the final text corresponding to each sub-topic, which was presented to, appraised, discussed and approved in a plenary session that included all 58 participants and aimed to create the final document.

Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part I.

Perspectives on invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support for critically ill patients are evolving, as much evidence indicates that ventilation may have positive effects on patient survival and the quality of the care provided in intensive care units in Brazil. For those reasons, the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB) and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumonia e Tisiologia - SBPT), represented by the Mechanical Ventilation Committee and the Commission of Intensive Therapy, respectively, decided to review the literature and draft recommendations for mechanical ventilation with the goal of creating a document for bedside guidance as to the best practices on mechanical ventilation available to their members. The document was based on the available evidence regarding 29 subtopics selected as the most relevant for the subject of interest. The project was developed in several stages, during which the selected topics were distributed among experts recommended by both societies with recent publications on the subject of interest and/or significant teaching and research activity in the field of mechanical ventilation in Brazil. The experts were divided into pairs that were charged with performing a thorough review of the international literature on each topic. All the experts met at the Forum on Mechanical Ventilation, which was held at the headquarters of AMIB in São Paulo on August 3 and 4, 2013, to collaboratively draft the final text corresponding to each sub-topic, which was presented to, appraised, discussed and approved in a plenary session that included all 58 participants and aimed to create the final document.

Early oral feeding post-upper gastrointestinal tract resection and primary anastomosis in oncology / Realimentação oral precoce após ressecções e anastomose primária do trato gastrointestinal alto em oncologia

ABSTRACT Background: The practice of starving patients in the immediate period after upper gastrointestinal surgery is widespread. Early oral intake has been shown to be feasible and may result in faster recovery and decrease length of hospital. Aim: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of oral nutrition on postoperative early feeding after upper gastrointestinal surgeries. Methods: Observational cohort design study with convenience retrospective data in both genders, over 18 years, undergoing to total gastrectomy and/or elective esophagectomy. They have received oral or enteral nutrition in less than 48 h after surgery, and among those who started with enteral nutrition, the oral feeding up to seven days. Results: The study was performed in 161 patients, 24 (14.9%) submitted to esophagectomy, 132 (82%) to total gastrectomy and five (3.1%) to esophagogastrectomy. Was observed good dietary acceptance and low percentage (29%) of gastrointestinal intolerances, more pronounced among those with enteral diet. Most of the patients did not present postoperative complications, 11 (6.8%) were reopened, five (3.1%) had fistulas, three (1.9%) wound dehiscence, three (1.9%) fistula more wound dehiscence and six (3.7%) other non-infectious complications. Conclusion: Early oral diet is safe and viable for patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery.

RESUMO Racional: Os níveis do antígeno carcinoembriônico no lavado peritoneal têm sido demonstrados como possível fator prognóstico de recidiva e mortalidade em pacientes com câncer gástrico. Objetivos: Medir seus níveis em lavado peritoneal durante operação de ressecção de câncer gástrico e ver se eles aumentados estão relacionados com mortalidade, recorrência, recidiva e outros fatores prognósticos. Métodos: Foi realizado lavado peritoneal durante ressecções de câncer gástrico; os níveis do antígeno carcinoembriônico nesse lavado maiores ou iguais a 210 ng/g foram considerados aumentados ou positivos. Resultados: Foram estudados 30 pacientes, destes, 33,33 % apresentaram níveis aumentados, os quais foram fator de risco para mortalidade em seis meses OR: 8,5 (1,458-49,539) IC 95%, mortalidade geral RR: 2,111 (1,314-3,391) IC 95%, mortalidade devido à doença OR: 12 (1,885-76,376) IC 95%, recorrência peritoneal OR: 9 (1,325-61,138) IC 95%, e recidiva ou progressão da doença OR: 27 (2,705-269,460) IC 95%. Conclusões: Os níveis aumentados do antígeno carcinoembriônico no lavado peritoneal foram fatores de risco para mortalidade, recorrência peritoneal, recidiva e progressão da doença em pacientes com câncer gástrico.

Campanha "Diga não à desnutrição": 11 passos importantes para combater a desnutrição hospitalar / Campaign "Say no to malnutrition": 11 important steps to fight hospital malnutrition

A desnutrição é frequentemente encontrada no ambiente hospitalar. Muitas vezes negligenciada, apesar de afetar desfavoravelmente a saúde da população, a desnutrição apresenta como principais complicações: pior resposta imunológica, atraso no processo de cicatrização, risco elevado de complicações cirúrgicas e infecciosas, maior probabilidade de desenvolvimento de lesões por pressão, aumento no tempo de internação e do risco de mortalidade. Fora isso, acarreta considerável aumento dos custos hospitalares. A taxa de desnutrição varia entre 20 e 50% em adultos hospitalizados e durante a hospitalização esta condição piora progressivamente principalmente em idosos e pacientes críticos. Em 1998, o inquérito brasileiro, conhecido como IBRANUTRI, avaliou 4 mil pacientes internados na rede pública hospitalar de vários estados brasileiros, confirmando a prevalência da desnutrição em 48,1% dos pacientes. Há 20 anos, estes dados foram publicados e o cenário permanece imutável até os dias atuais, pois, em 2016, outro estudo (com aproximadamente 30.000 pacientes) corroborou a manutenção da alta prevalência de desnutrição em pacientes hospitalizados. A identificação precoce da desnutrição, bem como o manejo, por meio de ferramentas recomendadas, possibilita estabelecer a conduta nutricional mais apropriada e melhora do desfecho nestes pacientes.O objetivo desta campanha é reduzir as taxas de desnutrição por meio de uma série de ações que incluem a triagem, o diagnóstico, o manejo e o tratamento da desnutrição. Para facilitar a maneira de difundir este conhecimento, foi desenvolvido um método mnemônico com a palavra "DESNUTRIÇÃO", abordando cada letra inicial de forma simples, desde o conceito até o tratamento da desnutrição. Desta forma, o método garante uma integração interdisciplinar, além de averiguar os principais aspectos do cuidado geral do paciente desnutrido.

Avaliação do panorama atual da terapia nutricional dentro da unidade de terapia intensiva / Assessment of the current outlook of nutritional therapy within the intensive care unit

Objetivos: O grau de conhecimento de médicos intensivista sobre temas relacionados à terapia nutricional parece ser deficiente com base na literatura atual. Faz-se necessário analisar as principais lacunas de conhecimento para o planejamento de intervenções que tragam melhora da qualidade da terapia nutricional realizada. O presente estudo consiste na análise do grau de conhecimento de médicos intensivistas sobre temas básicos de terapia nutricional na unidade terapia intensiva (UTI). Método: Estudo prospectivo, observacional, realizado por meio de uma pesquisa disponibilizada online para médicos intensivistas de todo território nacional. Houve 147 respostas. O questionário continha 25 perguntas referentes à terapia nutricional em pacientes críticos. Resultados: A maioria dos respondedores possui uma equipe multidisciplinar de terapia nutricional atuando na UTI. Cerca de 60% dos respondedores desconhecem ou não aplicam nenhuma ferramenta de triagem nutricional. A regra de bolso (25 a 30 kcal/kg) é utilizada em 62,9% dos casos para estimar as necessidades energéticas. A nutrição enteral precoce é realizada em 84% dos pacientes. 64% dos respondedores iniciam nutrição parenteral exclusiva dentro de 3 dias, caso o trato gastrointestinal (TGI) não possa ser utilizado. 56% dos participantes não utilizam nenhuma ferramenta para avaliar o TGI. 15,1% não utilizam indicadores de qualidade relacionados à terapia nutricional. Conclusão: A terapia nutricional dentro da UTI ainda parece ter estratégias subutilizadas. São necessários programas de educação médica na tentativa de sensibilizar os médicos intensivistas quanto à importância da terapia nutricional para doentes em estado crítico.(AU)

Objectives: The degree of knowledge of intensive care physicians on nutritional therapy-related topics appears to be deficient based on current literature. It is necessary to analyze the main knowledge gaps for the planning of interventions that bring improvement of the quality of nutritional therapy performed. The present study consists of the analysis of the degree of knowledge of intensive care physicians about basic nutritional therapy in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: A prospective, observational study was carried out by means of a survey made available online for intensive care physicians throughout the country. There were 147 respondents to the survey. The questionnaire contained 25 questions regarding nutritional therapy in critically ill patients. Results: Most of the responders have a multidisciplinary nutritional therapy team working in the ICU. About 60% of the respondents are unaware or do not apply any nutritional screening tools. The pocket rule (25 to 30 kcal / kg) is used in 62.9% of the cases to estimate the energy needs. Early enteral nutrition is performed in 84% of patients. 64% of respondents initiate exclusive parenteral nutrition within 3 days if the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can not be used. 56% of the participants do not use any tool to evaluate the GIT. 15.1% do not use quality indicators related to nutritional therapy. Conclusion: Nutritional therapy within the ICU still seems to have underutilized strategies. Medical education programs are needed in an attempt to sensitize intensive care physicians about the importance of nutritional therapy for critically ill patients.(AU)

Red blood cell transfusions worsen the outcomes even in critically ill patients undergoing a restrictive transfusion strategy.

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.

Ultrassom à beira do leito como ferramenta prática para avaliação da massa muscular / Bedside ultrasound is a practical measurement tool for assessing muscle mass

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a intra e interconfiabilidade, e a facilidade de medir a espessura muscular do quadríceps, usando ultrassom à beira do leito. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, observacional. A avaliação da espessura muscular do quadríceps foi realizada em dois pontos de referência e quantificada com ultrassom portátil em modo B em dois voluntários saudáveis. Para padronização das medidas e validação das coletas das imagens, foi realizada capacitação da equipe por meio de treinamentos com aulas teóricas e práticas, com carga horária de 6 horas. Resultados: Foram examinadas 112 imagens pelo treinador e comparadas com os alunos. A correlação de Person encontrou excelente relação entre o treinador e todos os alunos (R2 > 0,90). A melhor associação foi entre o treinador e os nutricionistas (R2: 0,99; p < 0,001), e a pior, entre o treinador e alunos médicos (R2: 0,92; p < 0,001). Quanto à comparação de Bland-Altman, a maior porcentagem de erro encontrada entre treinador e alunos foi de 5,12% (IC95% 3,64 - 12,37) e a menor, 1,01% (IC95% 0,72 - 2,58); o maior viés dos valores descrito foi -0,12 ± 0,19, e o menor, -0,01 ± 0,04. Conclusão: Os dados analisados mostraram boa correlação entre as medidas feitas pelo instrutor e alunos, mostrando que o ultrassom de músculo quadríceps é uma ferramenta viável e de fácil aplicabilidade.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the intra- and inter-reliability and the ease of measuring the quadriceps muscle thickness using bedside ultrasound. Methods: This is a prospective, observational study. The assessment of quadriceps muscle thickness was performed at two reference points and was quantified using portable B-mode ultrasound in two healthy volunteers. For standardization of measurements and validation of image collections, the team was trained through theoretical and practical classes, with a 6-hour workload. Results: A total of 112 images were examined by the coach and compared with the trainees. Pearson's correlation analysis found an excellent relationship between the coach and all trainees (R2 > 0.90). The best association was between the coach and the dietitians (R2: 0.99; p < 0.001), and the worst association was between the coach and the medical trainees (R2: 0.92; p < 0.001). In the Bland-Altman comparison, the highest error rate found between coach and trainees was 5.12% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.64-12.37), and the lowest was 1.01% (95%CI 0.72 - 2.58); the highest bias of the values described was -0.12 ± 0.19, and the lowest was -0.01 ± 0.04. Conclusion: The data analyzed showed a good correlation between the measurements made by the coach and trainees, indicating that ultrasound of the quadriceps muscle is a viable and easily applicable tool.

Thrombocytopenia in cardiac surgery: diagnostic and prognostic importance.

OBJECTIVE: Patients undergo to cardiac surgery have more probability to develop thrombocytopenia. The heparin induced thrombocytopenia happens in 5% of the patients. The aim from this study was to evaluate the clinical importance from the severe thrombocytopenia in postoperative cardiac surgical patients. METHODS: It was included cardiac surgical patients with platelets < 150000 cel/mm³ during firsts 24 h from postoperative. All patients underwent evaluation for four Ts score (thrombocytopenia, use preview of heparin, thrombosis and platelets decreased not related to heparin). In order to a four Ts score e" 6 was considered as suggestive of heparin induced thrombocytopenia type II. The mortality rate in intensive care (ICU) and hospital, length of stay, healthy state and incidence from thrombosis were compared in patients with score > 6 (group 1) and < 6 (group 2). RESULTS: It was include 120 patients who met the inclusions criterions. There was no difference between the groups in related to age, gender, time of cardiopulmonary bypass and surgery. However, the incidence of thrombosis was higher in group 1 (23% vs. 0%, P<0.0001), as well as the greater score is related to higher hospital mortality rate. CONCLUSION: The score > 6, in postoperative cardiac surgical patients, it is associated to higher incidence of thrombosis as well as the greater score is related to higher hospital mortality rate.

Parasternum pleural-cutaneous fistula in a severely immunosuppressed HIV-positive patient.

Pleural tuberculosis occurs in 30% of patients with tuberculosis, and the percentage of patients with tuberculosis pleural effusions is comparable to human immunodeficiency virus HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals, although pleural tuberculosis is rare in HIV-positive patients with CD4+ counts < 200 cells/mm(3). Pleural tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients is likely to happen in young patients, and is more frequent in intravenous drug abusers, with more acid-fast bacilli identifiable in pleural tissue. We report a rare case of pleural tuberculosis in a severely immunosuppressed HIV-positive patient, presented as two parasternum pleural-cutaneous fistula.

Prognostic factors in elderly patients admitted in the intensive care unit. / Fatores prognósticos em pacientes idosos admitidos em unidade de terapia intensiva.

UNLABELLED: Currently, aging of the population is a widespread global phenomenon. Therefore, the assessment of prognosis in elderly patients is needed. This study aims to identify risk factors in a population of elderly patients admitted in the intensive care unit METHODS: A prospective study in the intensive care unit of a general tertiary hospital was carried out for five months. Patients with 65 years or more of age, who stayed in the intensive care unit for 24 hours or more were included and those at the-end-of-life, patients readmitted to intensive care unit during the same hospital stay were excluded. RESULTS: In this study 199 patients were involved, with a mean age of 75.4±6.8 years, and 58.8% were female. Mortality was 57.3%. The mean APACHE II, SOFA, MODS and Katz index (assessment of daily activities) were respectively 20.0±5.8, 6.8±3.9, 2.4±1.9 and 5.3±1.6. Most patients were postoperative 59.3% and 41.6% were under invasive mechanical ventilation. At regression analysis, the independent determinants of higher mortality were: older age (76.9±6.7 years death versus 73.3±6.5 years discharge, P<0.001, OR=1.08, CI 95% 1.01-1. 16), the Katz index (4.9±1.9 deaths versus 5.7±0.9 discharge, p=0.001, OR=0.66, CI 95% 0.45-0.98), hyperglycemia (158.1±69.0 death versus 139.6±48.5 discharge p=0.041; OR=1.02; CI 95% 1.01-1.03) and need for mechanical ventilation at admission to the intensive care unit (57.0% death versus 20.5% discharge p <0.001, OR=3.57, CI 95% 1.24-10.3). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients admitted to the intensive care unit that have difficulties in performing daily activities, hyperglycemia and who are under invasive mechanical ventilation had a worse hospital prognosis.

Influence of tissue perfusion on the outcome of surgical patients who need blood transfusion.

PURPOSE: The aim this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients needing intra-operative blood transfusion by tissue perfusion markers. METHODS: A prospective single center cohort study. Adult patients needing blood transfusion during the intra-operative period were recruited. RESULTS: This study included 61 patients. At the time of blood transfusion the hemoglobin level was 8.4+/-1.8 g/dL. Scv02 has been the best tissue perfusion marker to determine mortality, compared with hematemetric values and other tissue perfusion markers, with a cut-off point at ROC curve equal to 80% (AUC=0.75; sensitivity=80%; specificity=65.2%). Patients who received blood transfusion and had Scv02 80% (N=32), had lower mortality rates (12.5% vs. 47.1%; p=0.008) and lower incidence of postoperative complications (58.9% vs. 72.9%; p=0.06). Blood transfusion with a Scv02 80%, are associated with worse clinical outcomes.

Determining ICH Score: can we go beyond?

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) still presents a great heterogeneity in its clinical evaluation, demonstrating differences in the enrollment criteria used for the study of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) treatment. The aim of the current study was to assess the ICH Score, a simple and reliable scale, determining the 30-day mortality and the one-year functional outcome. Consecutive patients admitted with acute SICH were prospectively included in the study. ICH Scores ranged from 0 to 4, and each increase in the ICH Score was associated with an increase in the 30-day mortality and with a progressive decrease in good functional outcome rates. However, the occurrence of a pyramidal pathway injury was better related to worse functional outcome than the ICH Score. The ICH Score is a good predictor of 30-day mortality and functional outcome, confirming its validity in a different socioeconomic populations. The association of the pyramidal pathway injury as an auxiliary variable provides more accurate information about the prognostic evolution.