The association between increasing fluid balance, acute kidney injury and mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock: A retrospective single center audit.

PURPOSE: To determine whether a positive fluid balance is associated with AKI and mortality in sepsis and septic shock patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 482 patients treated for sepsis or septic shock. Patients were stratified according to quartiles of cumulative fluid balance on days 1 and 3. Logistic models were built to explore the association between fluid balance, AKI, and ICU mortality. RESULTS: During the first days of ICU admission, fluid input did not differ between survivors and non-survivors, yet a significant difference in output resulted in a more positive fluid balance in non-survivors on day 1 (37.24 ± 31.98 ml/kg vs. 24.97 ± 23.76 ml/kg, p < 0.001) and day 3 (83.33 ± 70.86 ml/kg vs. 62.20 ± 45.90 ml/kg, P = 0.005). Using a logistic regression model, a positive fluid balance on day three was independently associated with higher ICU mortality (odds ratio 1.007 for every one ml/kg, P = 0038) and AKIN stage III (odds ratio 1.006 for every one ml/kg, p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: In patients with sepsis and septic shock, a more positive fluid balance is associated with an increased incidence of acute kidney injury and death after correction for possible confounders.

New potential for an old kid on the block: Impact of premorbid metformin use on lactate kinetics, kidney injury and mortality in sepsis and septic shock, an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis and septic shock cause significant mortality worldwide, with no targeted molecular therapies available. Metformin has pleomorphic effects that may be beneficial in sepsis, but at present, the impact of metformin exposure on sepsis remains controversial. Metformin might alter lactate metabolism, but little is known about its influence on lactate kinetics. We therefore investigated the impact of preadmission metformin use on lactate kinetics, acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality in sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed all ICU admissions with sepsis and septic shock between January 2013 and September 2020, identifying 77 users and 390 nonusers (subdivided in diabetics, n = 48 and nondiabetics, n = 342). RESULTS: (Sub)groups did not differ in illness severity or sepsis aetiology. Admission lactate levels were similar, but evolution in lactate over the first 24 h showed a larger decrease in users vs nonusers (median - 53% vs. -36%, p = .010). No difference in AKI or renal replacement therapy was found. Mortality was lower in users vs nonusers in case of septic shock (21.9% (n = 7) vs. 42.7% (n = 61) for 90d mortality, p = .029, OR 0.38 [95% CI: 0.15-0.93]), but showed no significant differences in the combined sepsis and septic shock population. CONCLUSIONS: In our data, preadmission metformin use is associated with a significantly larger decrease in lactate after admission with sepsis or septic shock and with reduced mortality in septic shock. This underscores the need for further studies investigating the interplay between metformin, lactate and sepsis, thereby exploring the potential use of metformin or its pathways in sepsis.

A roadmap to building first responder networks: Lessons learned and best practices from Belgium and Switzerland.

Background/Aims: Limited bystander assistance and delayed emergency medical service arrival reduce the chances of survival in cardiac arrest victims. Early basic life support through trained first responders (FR) and automatic external defibrillation both improve the outcome. Well-organized FR networks have shown promise, but guidance on effective implementation is lacking. This study evaluates two FR networks, in Belgium and in Switzerland, to identify main advancements in the development of such systems. Method: Direct comparison is made of the barriers and facilitators in the development of both FR systems from 2006 up until December 2022, and summarized within a roadmap. Results: The Roadmap comprises four integral steps: exploration, installation, initiation, and implementation. Exploration involves understanding the national legislation, engaging with advisory bodies, and establishing local steering committees. The installation phase focuses on FR recruitment, engaging specific professional groups such as firemen, registering public Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and requesting feedback. The initiation step includes implementing improvement cycles and fidelity measures. Finally, implementation expands the network, leading to increased survival rates and the integration of these practices into legislation. A significant focus is placed on FR's psychological wellbeing. Moreover, the roadmap highlights the use of efficient geo-mapping to simplify optimal AED placement and automatically assign FRs to tasks. Conclusion: The importance of FR networks for early resuscitation is increasingly recognized and various systems are being developed. Key developmental strategies of the EVapp and Ticino Cuore app system may serve as a roadmap for other systems and implementations within Europe and beyond.