Impact of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange on Hemodynamic Parameters in Medical Intensive Care Unit Patients: An Observational Study.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an extracorporeal treatment with reported beneficial as well as detrimental effects on circulation. However, there is a lack of data using advanced hemodynamic monitoring during TPE. Therefore, we investigated the effects of TPE on hemodynamic parameters derived from transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) as well as the risk for transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). We compared hemodynamic parameters obtained before and after a total of 30 sessions of TPE treatment in 10 intensive care unit patients. Among standard hemodynamic parameters, heart rate (P < 0.012) and systolic blood pressure (P < 0.008) significantly increase, whereas neither mean arterial pressure nor diastolic blood pressure was altered after TPE. The TPTD-derived cardiac function parameters, cardiac index (CI; P = 0.035), cardiac power index (CPI; P = 0.008), global ejection fraction (GEF; P = 0.002), and stroke volume index (SVI; P = 0.014), were significantly higher after TPE. Furthermore, systemic vascular index significantly increased (P < 0.042). Among the cardiac preload parameters, central venous pressure was significantly lower after TPE (P < 0.001), while the global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI) did not change. Contractility marker dPmax did not change. Finally, TPE application did not significantly alter the pulmonary hydration and permeability parameters, extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) and pulmonary vascular permeability index. Vasopressor dose was not statistically significantly altered. Considering increases in SVI, CI, GEF, and CPI and stable values for GEDVI, EVLWI, and dPmax, our data do not give any hint for hemodynamic impairment or TRALI.

Comparison of Serum Galactomannan and 1,3-Beta-D-Glucan Determination for Early Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Critically Ill Patients with Hematological Malignancies and Septic Shock.

INTRODUCTION: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is an important cause of morbidity/mortality in critically ill patients with hematological malignancies. New diagnosis strategies include the noninvasive biomarkers 1,3-beta-D-glucan (BDG) and serum galactomannan (GM). METHODS: For early detection of IPA, we compared BDG Fungitell assay with GM Platelia assay. RESULTS: Twenty-two out of 30 patients (74 %) had elevated BDG levels (mean 306 pg/ml) beyond the cutoff of 80 pg/ml. GM levels were elevated in only 3 patients (10 %) over the ODI cutoff of >0.5. Following the BDG/GM and microbiological findings, 10 (34 %) cases were classified as probable IPA and 12 (40 %) as possible IPA. Eight (26 %) were classified as no IPA. An overall sensitivity of 90 % (95 % CI 86-96 %) and specificity of 85 % (95 % CI 79-86 %) was found for the BDG Fungitell assay in IPA. In contrast, an overall sensitivity of 30 % (95 % CI 26-38 %) and specificity of 98 % (95 % CI 94-100 %) was found for the GM Platelia assay. A false-negative rate of 70 % for probable IPA and 85 % for probable/possible IPA was detected for GM. The false-negative rate for BDG was 0 % in cases of probable IPA and 45 % in cases of possible cases. CONCLUSION: BDG is a sensitive marker for patients' surveillance at risk of IPA. In patients with hematological malignancies and septic shock, early diagnosis of IPA might be significantly improved by BDG compared to GM, also considering that BDG has the advantage of detecting fungal diseases other than IPA.

Usage of 1,3-ß-D-Glucan for Early Detection of Invasive Mycoses and Outcome Parameter in Immunocompromised Critically Ill Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Invasive fungal disease (IFD) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. METHODS: Examination of 1,3-ß-D-glucan (BDG) for IFD and as outcome parameter in immunocompromised critically ill patients with septic shock. RESULTS: Thirty-two (69 %) out of 46 included patients had BDG beyond the cutoff of >80 pg/ml (mean 320 pg/ml). Twelve (37 %) had findings of Aspergillus spp. in BAL (mean BDG 413 pg/ml). EORTC/MSG guidelines classified these as probable invasive aspergillosis (IA)/IFD. Five (16 %) had candidaemia (mean BDG level 361 pg/ml). Sensitivity of 78 % (95 % CI 58-88 %) and specificity of 68 % (95 % CI 52-77 %) for IFD were found on the BDG Fungitell assay. In detail, a sensitivity of 73 % (95 % 58-84 %) and specificity of 83 % (95 % CI 68-93 %) for IA and a sensitivity of 77 % (CI 95 % 62-87 %) and specificity 53 % (95 % CI 37-73 %) for candidaemia were found. APACHE II, SOFA score and mortality rate were in the elevated BDG group significantly altered (26 vs. 21, p < 0.003; 15 vs. 13, p < 0.006; 72 vs. 50 %, p < 0.004). CONCLUSION: 1,3-ß-D-glucan assay is helpful for early detection of IFD; moreover, elevated BDG levels can be used as a predictor for outcome in immunocompromised critically ill patients as presented in our study.

Influence of echinocandin administration on hemodynamic parameters in medical intensive care unit patients: a single center prospective study.

PURPOSE: Fungal infections present a constant risk to critically ill and immunocompromised patients. Therefore, treatment guidelines recommend echinocandins as first-line antifungals in critically ill patients to improve patient outcomes. Echinocandins are usually well tolerated; nevertheless, rare adverse events can occur. There are reports of temporary deterioration of hemodynamic parameters during loading doses, especially in critically ill patients. The objective of this study is to analyze the hemodynamic changes during administration of the echinocandin antifungals, caspofungin and anidulafungin, in medical intensive care unit patients. METHODS: A prospective study in medical ICU patients receiving echinocandins was monitored using single-indicator transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD). TPTD measurements were performed immediately before, directly after, and 4 h after echinocandins on two following days. RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure and also diastolic blood pressure showed significant changes (p < 0.042 and p < 0.007) after echinocandin application in the measurement immediately after application, but not after 4 h. Basic hemodynamic parameters as well as the TPTD-derived cardiac function parameters did not significantly change after echinocandin application at all. In patients with the need for norepinephrine therapy, the vasopressor dose was not statistically significantly altered. CONCLUSION: To conclude, administration of echinocandins in this observed study population is safe, even in severely critically ill patients if application rules of these agents are followed. However, adverse effects could be observed and practitioners should be cognizant of these effects. These observations can be optimized by high-level assessments, such as the pulse contour cardiac output monitoring, and clinicians should continue to be vigilant with cardiac monitoring of patients receiving echinocandin antifungals.

Influence of volume administration on Doppler-based renal resistive index, renal hemodynamics and renal function in medical intensive care unit patients with septic-induced acute kidney injury: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Impact of volume challenge (VC) on renal hemodynamics and renal function in patients with septic-induced acute kidney injury in addition to transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD)-derived hemodynamic parameters. METHODS: Systemic hemodynamic parameters derived from TPTD, Doppler-based resistive index (RI) urine output, creatinine and urea levels were obtained before, after and 24 h after VC. RESULTS: Heart rate (p < 0.045), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.030) and mean arterial pressure (p < 0.001) were significantly altered after VC in VC responders compared to baseline immediately after VC but not after 24 h (p = 0.719; p = 0.576; p = 0.435).TPTD-derived cardiac function parameter cardiac index significantly increased after VC (p < 0.001) as well after 24 h (p < 0.02) in the responder group. Stroke volume index also significantly increased after VC (0.033) in responders immediately after VC, but not after 24 h of VC (p < 0.073). No significant changes could be observed in the non-responder group.Renal RI was not significantly different between VC responders and VC non-responders (p = 0.55) immediately after VC and after 24 h (p = 0.65).Creatinine levels in VC responders significantly decreased after 24 h (p < 0.001). Urine output increased from 400 to 542 ml/d in responders, but not statistically significant (p = 0.09). Vasopressor dose in VC responders was statistically significantly lower after 24 h (p < 0.001) compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Responders to VC with septic-induced AKI can benefit from an optimized hemodynamic environment. The resistive index to guide fluid therapy for renal hemodynamic management may be limited by the small magnitude of the changes.

Sustained low-efficiency dialysis with regional citrate anticoagulation in medical intensive care unit patients with liver failure: A prospective study.

PURPOSE: Patients with liver failure requiring dialysis are at increased risk for citrate accumulation during sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED). The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibilty of citrate SLED in critical ill patients with liver failure and investigate predictive parameters regarding citrate accumulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study in 24 medical intensive care unit patients with liver failure and a total of 43 SLED runs (maximum of 3 runs per patient) using citrate anticoagulation. Liver function was characterized before SLED using not only laboratory parameters but also determination of the plasma disappearance rate of indocyanine green. In addition, blood gas parameters as well total calcium and citrate in serum were measured at baseline and defined time points during SLED. RESULTS: Accumulation of citrate could be observed in all SLED runs, which were nearly normalized until the end of SLED and 24 hours after SLED, respectively. However, the critical threshold of total calcium/ionized calcium on ratio of greater than 2.5 was exceeded in only 1 patient. Equalization of initial metabolic acidosis was possible without major disturbances of acid base and electrolyte status. Liver function parameters showed poor predicitve capabilities regarding citrate accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite substantial accumulation of citrate in serum, SLED is save and feasible in patients with liver failure using a citrate anticoagulation. Careful monitoring of electrolytes and acid base status is mandatory to ensure patient safety.