BACKGROUND Although previous studies have suggested the potential advantages of albumin administration in patients with severe sepsis, its efficacy has not been fully established. METHODS In this multicenter, open-label trial, we randomly assigned 1818 patients with severe sepsis, in 100 intensive care units (ICUs), to receive either 20% albumin and crystalloid solution or crystalloid solution alone. In the albumin group, the target serum albumin concentration was 30 g per liter or more until discharge from the ICU or 28 days after randomization. The primary outcome was death from any cause at 28 days. Secondary outcomes were death from any cause at 90 days, the number of patients with organ dysfunction and the degree of dysfunction, and length of stay in the ICU and the hospital. RESULTS During the first 7 days, patients in the albumin group, as compared with those in the crystalloid group, had a higher mean arterial pressure (P = 0.03) and lower net fluid balance (P<0.001). The total daily amount of administered fluid did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = 0.10). At 28 days, 285 of 895 patients (31.8%) in the albumin group and 288 of 900 (32.0%) in the crystalloid group had died (relative risk in the albumin group, 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87 to 1.14; P = 0.94). At 90 days, 365 of 888 patients (41.1%) in the albumin group and 389 of 893 (43.6%) in the crystalloid group had died (relative risk, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.05; P = 0.29). No significant differences in other secondary outcomes were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS In patients with severe sepsis, albumin replacement in addition to crystalloids, as compared with crystalloids alone, did not improve the rate of survival at 28 and 90 days. (Funded by the Italian Medicines Agency; ALBIOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00707122.)

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Albumin Replacement in Patients with Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock

https://www.ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386(13)00471-X/pdf

KDOQI US Commentary on the 2012 KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Kidney Injury

OBJECTIVES: To develop evidence-based recommendations for clinicians caring for children (including infants, school-aged children, and adolescents) with septic shock and other sepsis-associated organ dysfunction. DESIGN: A panel of 49 international experts, representing 12 international organizations, as well as three methodologists and three public members was convened. Panel members assembled at key international meetings (for those panel members attending the conference), and a stand-alone meeting was held for all panel members in November 2018. A formal conflict-of-interest policy was developed at the onset of the process and enforced throughout. Teleconferences and electronic-based discussion among the chairs, co-chairs, methodologists, and group heads, as well as within subgroups, served as an integral part of the guideline development process. METHODS: The panel consisted of six subgroups: recognition and management of infection, hemodynamics and resuscitation, ventilation, endocrine and metabolic therapies, adjunctive therapies, and research priorities. We conducted a systematic review for each Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcomes question to identify the best available evidence, statistically summarized the evidence, and then assessed the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. We used the evidence-to-decision framework to formulate recommendations as strong or weak, or as a best practice statement. In addition, "in our practice" statements were included when evidence was inconclusive to issue a recommendation, but the panel felt that some guidance based on practice patterns may be appropriate. RESULTS: The panel provided 77 statements on the management and resuscitation of children with septic shock and other sepsis-associated organ dysfunction. Overall, six were strong recommendations, 52 were weak recommendations, and nine were best-practice statements. For 13 questions, no recommendations could be made; but, for 10 of these, "in our practice" statements were provided. In addition, 49 research priorities were identified. CONCLUSIONS: A large cohort of international experts was able to achieve consensus regarding many recommendations for the best care of children with sepsis, acknowledging that most aspects of care had relatively low quality of evidence resulting in the frequent issuance of weak recommendations. Despite this challenge, these recommendations regarding the management of children with septic shock and other sepsis-associated organ dysfunction provide a foundation for consistent care to improve outcomes and inform future research.

Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines for the Management of Septic Shock and Sepsis-Associated Organ Dysfunction in Children

https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(14)60687-5.pdf

The systemic immune response to trauma: an overview of pathophysiology and treatment.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a widespread problem of epidemic status. Compelling evidence indicates that the incidence of AKI is rapidly increasing, particularly among hospitalized patients with acute illness and those undergoing major surgery. This increase might be partially attributable to greater recognition of AKI, improved ascertainment in administrative data and greater sensitivity of consensus diagnostic and classification schemes. Other causes could be an ageing population, increasing incidences of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and an expanding characterization of modifiable risk factors, such as sepsis, administration of contrast media and exposure to nephrotoxins. The sequelae of AKI are severe and characterized by increased risk of short-term and long-term mortality, incident CKD and accelerated progression to end-stage renal disease. AKI-associated mortality is decreasing, but remains unacceptably high. Moreover, the absolute number of patients dying as a result of AKI is increasing as the incidence of the disorder increases, and few proven effective preventative or therapeutic interventions exist. Survivors of AKI, particularly those who remain on renal replacement therapy, often have reduced quality of life and consume substantially greater health-care resources than the general population as a result of longer hospitalizations, unplanned intensive care unit admissions and rehospitalizations.

/pdf/acute-kidney-injury-epidemiology-outcomes-and-economics-3cepxv6zfs.pdf

Acute kidney injury—epidemiology, outcomes and economics

Importance Hydroxyethyl starch is commonly used for volume resuscitation yet has been associated with serious adverse events, including acute kidney injury and death. Clinical trials of hydroxyethyl starch are conflicting. Moreover, multiple trials from one investigator have been retracted because of scientific misconduct. Objectives To evaluate the association of hydroxyethyl starch use with mortality and acute kidney injury. Data Sources Randomized controlled trials from MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Global Health, HealthStar, Scopus, Web of Science, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (inception to October 2012), reference lists of relevant articles, and gray literature. Study Selection Two reviewers independently identified randomized controlled trials comparing hydroxyethyl starch with other resuscitation fluids in critically ill patients receiving acute volume resuscitation. Data Extraction Two reviewers independently extracted trial-level data including population characteristics, interventions, outcomes, and funding sources. Risk of bias was assessed using the risk of bias tool; the strength of evidence was adjudicated using the GRADE methodology. Results We included 38 eligible trials comparing hydroxyethyl starch to crystalloids, albumin, or gelatin. The majority of trials were categorized as having an unclear risk or high risk of bias. For the 10 880 patients in studies contributing mortality data, the risk ratio (RR) for death among patients randomized to receive hydroxyethyl starch was 1.07 (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.14; I 2 , 0%; absolute risk [AR], 1.20%; 95% CI, −0.26% to 2.66%). This summary effect measure included results from 7 trials performed by an investigator whose subsequent research had been retracted because of scientific misconduct. When we excluded these 7 trials that involved 590 patients, hydroxyethyl starch was found to be associated with increased mortality among 10 290 patients (RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.17; I 2 , 0%; AR, 1.51%; 95% CI, 0.02% to 3.00%), increased renal failure among 8725 patients (RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.47; I 2 , 26%; AR, 5.45%; 95% CI, 0.44% to 10.47%), and increased use of renal replacement therapy among 9258 patients (RR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.50; I 2 , 0%; AR, 3.12%; 95% CI, 0.47% to 5.78%). Conclusion and Relevance In critically ill patients requiring acute volume resuscitation, use of hydroxyethyl starch compared with other resuscitation solutions was not associated with a decrease in mortality. Moreover, after exclusion of 7 trials performed by an investigator whose research has been retracted because of scientific misconduct, hydroxyethyl starch was associated with a significant increased risk of mortality and acute kidney injury. Clinical use of hydroxyethyl starch for acute volume resuscitation is not warranted due to serious safety concerns.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/articlepdf/1653505/jce130004_678_688.pdf

Association of Hydroxyethyl Starch Administration With Mortality and Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Volume Resuscitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective The efficacy of systemic corticosteroids in many critical illnesses remains uncertain. Our primary objective was to survey intensivists in North America about their perceived use of corticosteroids in clinical practice. Design Self-administered paper survey. Population Intensivists in academic hospitals with clinical trial expertise in critical illness. Measurements We generated questionnaire items in focus groups and refined them after assessments of clinical sensibility and test-retest reliability and pilot testing. We administered the survey to experienced intensivists practicing in selected

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Corticosteroid use in the intensive care unit: a survey of intensivists Utilisation de corticosteroõ ¨des al'unitedes soins intensifs: sondage aupres des intensivistes

Fluid Resuscitation with 5% albumin versus Normal Saline in Early Septic Shock: a pilot randomized, controlled trial.

Association of Hydroxyethyl Starch Administration With Mortality and Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Volume Resuscitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Alexis Turgeon

Papers

Association of Hydroxyethyl Starch Administration With Mortality and Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Volume Resuscitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Corticosteroid use in the intensive care unit: a survey of intensivists Utilisation de corticosteroõ ¨des al'unitedes soins intensifs: sondage aupres des intensivistes

Fluid Resuscitation with 5% albumin versus Normal Saline in Early Septic Shock: a pilot randomized, controlled trial.

Association of Hydroxyethyl Starch Administration With Mortality and Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Volume Resuscitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis