P B Kan

Bio: P B Kan is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sedation & Aldosterone. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 457 citations.

Inhibition of Adrenal Steroidogenesis by the Anesthetic Etomidate

Abstract: The use of the intravenous anesthetic etomidate for prolonged sedation has been associated with low levels of plasma cortisol and increased mortality. We measured the cortisol and aldosterone responses to ACTH stimulation in five patients receiving etomidate, and we also studied the direct effects of etomidate on enzymes in the rat steroidogenic pathway. One patient who was receiving a 20-hour infusion of etomidate (1.3 to 1.5 mg per kilogram of body weight per hour) had marked adrenocortical suppression that was still evident four days after etomidate was discontinued. Four surgical patients receiving etomidate during their operations were all found to have adrenal suppression four hours after the operation; mean (+/- S.D.) increases in cortisol and aldosterone after ACTH stimulation were only 1.8 +/- 0.5 micrograms per deciliter and 0.5 +/- 1.1 ng per deciliter, respectively. In rat adrenal cells, etomidate produced a concentration-dependent blockade of the two mitochondrial cytochrome P-450-dependent enzymes, cholesterol-side-chain cleavage enzyme, and 11 beta-hydroxylase, without evident inhibition of the microsomal enzymes in the glucocorticoid pathway. Physicians should be aware that etomidate inhibits adrenal steroidogenesis, and they should consider treating selected patients with corticosteroids if etomidate is used.

Corticosteroid insufficiency in acutely ill patients.

Abstract: Recent studies report benefits from corticosteroid treatment in patients with septic shock. This review summarizes the physiology of the corticosteroid response in acute illness. The authors present an updated, practical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of hypoadrenalism in acutely ill patients. Supplemental corticosteroid treatment may be beneficial in many critical illnesses.

Adjunctive Glucocorticoid Therapy in Patients with Septic Shock.

Abstract: Background Whether hydrocortisone reduces mortality among patients with septic shock is unclear. Methods We randomly assigned patients with septic shock who were undergoing mechanical ventilation to receive hydrocortisone (at a dose of 200 mg per day) or placebo for 7 days or until death or discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU), whichever came first. The primary outcome was death from any cause at 90 days. Results From March 2013 through April 2017, a total of 3800 patients underwent randomization. Status with respect to the primary outcome was ascertained in 3658 patients (1832 of whom had been assigned to the hydrocortisone group and 1826 to the placebo group). At 90 days, 511 patients (27.9%) in the hydrocortisone group and 526 (28.8%) in the placebo group had died (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82 to 1.10; P=0.50). The effect of the trial regimen was similar in six prespecified subgroups. Patients who had been assigned to receive hydrocortisone had faster resolution of shock than those assigned to the placebo group (median duration, 3 days [interquartile range, 2 to 5] vs. 4 days [interquartile range, 2 to 9]; hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.41; P<0.001). Patients in the hydrocortisone group had a shorter duration of the initial episode of mechanical ventilation than those in the placebo group (median, 6 days [interquartile range, 3 to 18] vs. 7 days [interquartile range, 3 to 24]; hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.22; P<0.001), but taking into account episodes of recurrence of ventilation, there were no significant differences in the number of days alive and free from mechanical ventilation. Fewer patients in the hydrocortisone group than in the placebo group received a blood transfusion (37.0% vs. 41.7%; odds ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.94; P=0.004). There were no significant between-group differences with respect to mortality at 28 days, the rate of recurrence of shock, the number of days alive and out of the ICU, the number of days alive and out of the hospital, the recurrence of mechanical ventilation, the rate of renal-replacement therapy, and the incidence of new-onset bacteremia or fungemia. Conclusions Among patients with septic shock undergoing mechanical ventilation, a continuous infusion of hydrocortisone did not result in lower 90-day mortality than placebo. (Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and others; ADRENAL ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01448109 .).

Addison’s Disease 2001

Abstract: Whereas it is now more than 150 yr since T. Addison first described the clinical and pathological features of adrenal failure (1 ), the disease remains underdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary morbidity and mortality. Over the past decade, there have been important advances in elucidating the pathogeneses and underlying genetics of the individual forms of the disease. This review emphasizes the multiple etiologies and the diagnostic steps to be taken with consideration to age at onset and gender and summarizes new genetic insights in the disease.

Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal function during critical illness: limitations of current assessment methods.

Abstract: Context: Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis represents one of several important responses to stressful events and critical illnesses. Despite a large volume of published data, several controversies continue to be debated, such as the definition of normal adrenal response, the concept of relative adrenal insufficiency, and the use of glucocorticoids in the setting of critical illness. Objectives: The primary objective was to review some of the modulating factors and limitations of currently used methods of assessing HPA function during critical illness and provide alternative approaches in that setting. Design: This was a critical review of relevant data from the literature with inclusion of previously published as well as unpublished observations by the author. Data on HPA function during three different forms of critical illnesses were reviewed: experimental endotoxemia in healthy volunteers, the response to major surgical procedures in patients with normal HPA, and the spontaneo...