Sedation with alfentanil versus fentanyl in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: outcomes from a single-centre retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: In November 2016, our institution switched from alfentanil to fentanyl for analgesia and sedation in adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. There is no published evidence comparing the use of alfentanil with fentanyl for sedation in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients. We conducted a retrospective observational study to explore any significant differences in patient outcomes or in the prescribing of adjunct sedatives before and after the switch. METHODS: Patients were retrospectively identified from a prospectively recorded database of all patients who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation at our institution between January 2016 and October 2017. Patients included those sedated with alfentanil or fentanyl. The total daily doses of intravenous opioids (alfentanil or fentanyl) were calculated for each patient, and the prescribing of adjunctive sedative or analgesic agents was recorded. Patient demographics, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation modality, clinical outcomes including mortality and length of intensive care and hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients were identified, 69 on alfentanil and 95 on fentanyl. There was no difference found between groups for mode of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation 2 score (APACHE II) and Charlson score, except for body mass index (p = 0.002). No differences in patient outcomes was observed between groups, although patients in the alfentanil group received a significantly higher median total daily dose of adjuvant sedatives (quetiapine (p = 0.016) and midazolam (p = 0.009)). CONCLUSIONS: No differences in patient outcomes were found between extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients sedated with alfentanil compared with fentanyl. There was a statistically significant reduction in some adjunctive sedatives in patients managed with a fentanyl-based regimen. Prospective studies are required to confirm these results.

Quetiapine in refractory hyperactive and mixed intensive care delirium: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Delirium affects up to 80% of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. Haloperidol is the gold standard for treatment, although quetiapine has been successfully used in the management of delirium. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients admitted to the ICU between February 2008 and May 2010 who were prescribed quetiapine by the attending clinician. Data collected included demographics, history of drug and/or alcohol dependence, ICU and hospital length of stay, length of mechanical ventilation and the duration of treatment with sedatives and medications for delirium. The daily dose of quetiapine was recorded. Hyperactive or mixed delirium was identified by a validated chart review and a Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) score persistently greater than 1 for 48 hours despite therapy. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were included. Delirium onset occurred after a median of five days. Patients were being given at least four agents for delirium prior to the introduction of quetiapine, and they had a median RASS score of 3. Quetiapine was initiated at a 25 mg daily dose and titrated to a median daily dose of 50 mg. The median duration of delirium prior to quetiapine therapy was 15 days. Quetiapine commencement was associated with a reduction in the need for other medications (within 0 to 6 days) and resolution of delirium within a median of four days. Adverse events included somnolence and transient hypotension. CONCLUSIONS: This case series provides an initial effort to explore a possible role for quetiapine in the management of refractory hyperactive and mixed ICU delirium.

Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulins in Patients with Suspected Toxin-Mediated Shock Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Toxin-producing, gram-positive bacteria can lead to severe and refractory septic shock with high attributable mortality. Adjunctive therapies such as intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) have been proposed for these patients. However, at presentation the presence of a toxin-producing organism is most often unknown. As IVIG is a potentially valuable but also limited resource, we investigated the use of IVIG in our critically ill patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study (April 2016 to March 2018) of adult patients with clinically suspected toxin-mediated shock requiring ECMO and who received IVIG in our regional severe respiratory failure (SRF)/ECMO center. RESULTS: In 44% (15/34) of the patients, group A Streptococcus or Panton-Valentine Leukocidin producing S aureus was isolated. IVIG use in these patients was safe. The mortality was 30%, lower than the predicted mortality of >90% based on the SOFA scores. CONCLUSION: IVIG administration can be considered in a selected group of patients presenting with acute and very severe septic shock.