Showing papers in "Intensive Care Medicine in 2014"

Consensus on circulatory shock and hemodynamic monitoring. Task force of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine

Abstract: Objective Circulatory shock is a life-threatening syndrome resulting in multiorgan failure and a high mortality rate. The aim of this consensus is to provide support to the bedside clinician regarding the diagnosis, management and monitoring of shock.

Prognostication in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest: an advisory statement from the European Resuscitation Council and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.

Abstract: Objectives To review and update the evidence on predictors of poor outcome (death, persistent vegetative state or severe neurological disability) in adult comatose survivors of cardiac arrest, either treated or not treated with controlled temperature, to identify knowledge gaps and to suggest a reliable prognostication strategy.

De-escalation of empirical therapy is associated with lower mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

Abstract: We set out to assess the safety and the impact on in-hospital and 90-day mortality of antibiotic de-escalation in patients admitted to the ICU with severe sepsis or septic shock. We carried out a prospective observational study enrolling patients admitted to the ICU with severe sepsis or septic shock. De-escalation was defined as discontinuation of an antimicrobial agent or change of antibiotic to one with a narrower spectrum once culture results were available. To control for confounding variables, we performed a conventional regression analysis and a propensity score (PS) adjusted-multivariable analysis. A total of 712 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock at ICU admission were treated empirically with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Of these, 628 were evaluated (84 died before cultures were available). De-escalation was applied in 219 patients (34.9 %). By multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with in-hospital mortality were septic shock, SOFA score the day of culture results, and inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy, whereas de-escalation therapy was a protective factor [Odds-Ratio (OR) 0.58; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.36–0.93). Analysis of the 403 patients with adequate empirical therapy revealed that the factor associated with mortality was SOFA score on the day of culture results, whereas de-escalation therapy was a protective factor (OR 0.54; 95 % CI 0.33–0.89). The PS-adjusted logistic regression models confirmed that de-escalation therapy was a protective factor in both analyses. De-escalation therapy was also a protective factor for 90-day mortality. De-escalation therapy for severe sepsis and septic shock is a safe strategy associated with a lower mortality. Efforts to increase the frequency of this strategy are fully justified.

Surviving Sepsis Campaign: association between performance metrics and outcomes in a 7.5-year study

Abstract: To determine the association between compliance with the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) performance bundles and mortality. Compliance with the SSC performance bundles, which are based on the 2004 SSC guidelines, was measured in 29,470 subjects entered into the SSC database from January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2012. Compliance was defined as evidence that all bundle elements were achieved. Two hundred eighteen community, academic, and tertiary care hospitals in the United States, South America, and Europe. Patients from the emergency department, medical and surgical wards, and ICU who met diagnosis criteria for severe sepsis and septic shock. A multifaceted, collaborative change intervention aimed at facilitating adoption of the SSC resuscitation and management bundles was introduced. Compliance with the SSC bundles and associated mortality rate was the primary outcome variable. Overall lower mortality was observed in high (29.0 %) versus low (38.6 %) resuscitation bundle compliance sites (p < 0.001) and between high (33.4 %) and low (32.3 %) management bundle compliance sites (p = 0.039). Hospital mortality rates dropped 0.7 % per site for every 3 months (quarter) of participation (p < 0.001). Hospital and intensive care unit length of stay decreased 4 % (95 % CI 1–7 %; p = 0.012) for every 10 % increase in site compliance with the resuscitation bundle. This analysis demonstrates that increased compliance with sepsis performance bundles was associated with a 25 % relative risk reduction in mortality rate. Every 10 % increase in compliance and additional quarter of participation in the SSC initiative was associated with a significant decrease in the odds ratio for hospital mortality. These results demonstrate that performance metrics can drive change in clinical behavior, improve quality of care, and may decrease mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

Consensus summary statement of the International Multidisciplinary Consensus Conference on Multimodality Monitoring in Neurocritical Care : a statement for healthcare professionals from the Neurocritical Care Society and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.

Abstract: Neurocritical care depends, in part, on careful patient monitoring but as yet there are little data on what processes are the most important to monitor, how these should be monitored, and whether monitoring these processes is cost-effective and impacts outcome. At the same time, bioinformatics is a rapidly emerging field in critical care but as yet there is little agreement or standardization on what information is important and how it should be displayed and analyzed. The Neurocritical Care Society in collaboration with the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, the Society for Critical Care Medicine, and the Latin America Brain Injury Consortium organized an international, multidisciplinary consensus conference to begin to address these needs. International experts from neurosurgery, neurocritical care, neurology, critical care, neuroanesthesiology, nursing, pharmacy, and informatics were recruited on the basis of their research, publication record, and expertise. They undertook a systematic literature review to develop recommendations about specific topics on physiologic processes important to the care of patients with disorders that require neurocritical care. This review does not make recommendations about treatment, imaging, and intraoperative monitoring. A multidisciplinary jury, selected for their expertise in clinical investigation and development of practice guidelines, guided this process. The GRADE system was used to develop recommendations based on literature review, discussion, integrating the literature with the participants’ collective experience, and critical review by an impartial jury. Emphasis was placed on the principle that recommendations should be based on both data quality and on trade-offs and translation into clinical practice. Strong consideration was given to providing pragmatic guidance and recommendations for bedside neuromonitoring, even in the absence of high quality data.

Worrisome trends in incidence and mortality of candidemia in intensive care units (Paris area, 2002-2010).

Abstract: PURPOSE: To analyze trends in incidence and mortality of candidemia in intensive care units (ICUs) vs. non-ICU hospitalized patients and to determine risk factors for infection by specific species and for death. METHODS: Active hospital-based surveillance program of incident episodes of candidemia due to common species in 24 tertiary care hospitals in the Paris area, France between October 2002 and September 2010. RESULTS: Among 2,507 adult cases included, 2,571 Candida isolates were collected and species were C. albicans (56 %), C. glabrata (18.6 %), C. parapsilosis (11.5 %), C. tropicalis (9.3 %), C. krusei (2.9 %), and C. kefyr (1.8 %). Candidemia occurred in ICU in 1,206 patients (48.1 %). When comparing ICU vs. non-ICU patients, the former had significantly more frequent surgery during the past 30 days, were more often preexposed to fluconazole and treated with echinocandin, and were less frequently infected with C. parapsilosis. Risk factors and age remained unchanged during the study period. A significant increased incidence in the overall population and ICU was found. The odds of being infected with a given species in ICU was influenced by risk factors and preexposure to fluconazole and caspofungin. Echinocandins initial therapy increased over time in ICU (4.6 % first year of study, to 48.5 % last year of study, p \textless 0.0001). ICU patients had a higher day-30 death rate than non-ICU patients (odds ratio [OR] 2.12; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.66-2.72; p \textless 0.0001). The day-30 and early (\textlessday 8) death rates increased over time in ICU (from 41.5 % the first to 56.9 % the last year of study (p = 0.001) and 28.7-38.8 % (p = 0.0292), respectively). Independent risk factors for day-30 death in ICU were age, arterial catheter, Candida species, preexposure to caspofungin, and lack of antifungal therapy at the time of blood cultures results (p \textless 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The availability of new antifungals and the publication of numerous guidelines did not prevent an increase of candidemia and death in ICU patients in the Paris area.

Prevalence and impact of frailty on mortality in elderly ICU patients: a prospective, multicenter, observational study.

Abstract: Frailty is a recent concept used for evaluating elderly individuals. Our study determined the prevalence of frailty in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and its impact on the rate of mortality. A multicenter, prospective, observational study performed in four ICUs in France included 196 patients aged ≥65 years hospitalized for >24 h during a 6-month study period. Frailty was determined using the frailty phenotype (FP) and the clinical frailty score (CFS). The patients were separated as follows: FP score <3 or ≥3 and CFS <5 or ≥5. Frailty was observed in 41 and 23 % of patients on the basis of an FP score ≥3 and a CFS ≥5, respectively. At admission to the ICU, the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores did not differ between the frail and nonfrail patients. In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors for ICU mortality were FP score ≥3 [hazard ratio (HR), 3.3; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.6–6.6; p < 0.001], male gender (HR, 2.4; 95 % CI, 1.1–5.3; p = 0.026), cardiac arrest before admission (HR, 2.8; 95 % CI, 1.1–7.4; p = 0.036), SAPS II score ≥46 (HR, 2.6; 95 % CI, 1.2–5.3; p = 0.011), and brain injury before admission (HR, 3.5; 95 % CI, 1.6–7.7; p = 0.002). The risk factors for 6-month mortality were a CFS ≥5 (HR, 2.4; 95 % CI, 1.49–3.87; p < 0.001) and a SOFA score ≥7 (HR, 2.2; 95 % CI, 1.35–3.64; p = 0.002). An increased CFS was associated with significant incremental hospital and 6-month mortalities. Frailty is a frequent occurrence and is independently associated with increased ICU and 6-month mortalities. Notably, the CFS predicts outcomes more effectively than the commonly used ICU illness scores.

International guideline development for the determination of death

Abstract: Introduction and Methods This report summarizes the results of the first phase in the development of international guidelines for death determination, focusing on the biology of death and the dying process, developed by an invitational forum of international content experts and representatives of a number of professional societies.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with malignancies

Abstract: Little attention has been given to ARDS in cancer patients, despite their high risk for pulmonary complications. We sought to describe outcomes in cancer patients with ARDS meeting the Berlin definition. Data from a cohort of patients admitted to 14 ICUs between 1990 and 2011 were used for a multivariable analysis of risk factors for hospital mortality. Of 1,004 included patients (86 % with hematological malignancies and 14 % with solid tumors), 444 (44.2 %) had neutropenia. Admission SOFA score was 12 (10–13). Etiological categories were primary infection-related ARDS (n = 662, 65.9 %; 385 bacterial infections, 213 invasive aspergillosis, 64 Pneumocystis pneumonia); extrapulmonary septic shock-related ARDS (n = 225, 22.4 %; 33 % candidemia); noninfectious ARDS (n = 76, 7.6 %); and undetermined cause (n = 41, 4.1 %). Of 387 (38.6 %) patients given noninvasive ventilation (NIV), 276 (71 %) subsequently required endotracheal ventilation. Hospital mortality was 64 % overall. According to the Berlin definition, 252 (25.1 %) patients had mild, 426 (42.4 %) moderate and 326 (32.5 %) severe ARDS; mortality was 59, 63 and 68.5 %, respectively (p = 0.06). Mortality dropped from 89 % in 1990–1995 to 52 % in 2006–2011 (p < 0.0001). Solid tumors, primary ARDS, and later admission period were associated with lower mortality. Risk factors for higher mortality were allogeneic bone-marrow transplantation, modified SOFA, NIV failure, severe ARDS, and invasive fungal infection. In cancer patients, 90 % of ARDS cases are infection-related, including one-third due to invasive fungal infections. Mortality has decreased over time. NIV failure is associated with increased mortality. The high mortality associated with invasive fungal infections warrants specific studies of early treatment strategies.

A multicenter study of septic shock due to candidemia: outcomes and predictors of mortality

Abstract: Candida is the most common cause of severe yeast infections worldwide, especially in critically ill patients. In this setting, septic shock attributable to Candida is characterized by high mortality rates. The aim of this multicenter study was to investigate the determinants of outcome in critically ill patients with septic shock due to candidemia. This was a retrospective study in which patients with septic shock attributable to Candida who were treated during the 3-year study period at one or more of the five participating teaching hospitals in Italy and Spain were eligible for enrolment. Patient characteristics, infection-related variables, and therapy-related features were reviewed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors significantly associated with 30-day mortality. A total of 216 patients (mean age 63.4 ± 18.5 years; 58.3 % males) were included in the study. Of these, 163 (75 %) were admitted to the intensive care unit. Overall 30-day mortality was 54 %. Significantly higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores, dysfunctional organs, and inadequate antifungal therapy were compared in nonsurvivors and survivors. No differences in survivors versus nonsurvivors were found in terms of the time from positive blood culture to initiation of adequate antifungal therapy. Multivariate logistic regression identified inadequate source control, inadequate antifungal therapy, and 1-point increments in the APACHE II score as independent variables associated with a higher 30-day mortality rate.

Feasibility and safety of early combined cognitive and physical therapy for critically ill medical and surgical patients: the Activity and Cognitive Therapy in ICU (ACT-ICU) trial

Abstract: Cognitive impairment after critical illness is common and debilitating. We developed a cognitive therapy program for critically ill patients and assessed the feasibility and safety of administering combined cognitive and physical therapy early during a critical illness. We randomized 87 medical and surgical ICU patients with respiratory failure and/or shock in a 1:1:2 manner to three groups: usual care, early once-daily physical therapy, or early once-daily physical therapy plus a novel, progressive, twice-daily cognitive therapy protocol. Cognitive therapy included orientation, memory, attention, and problem-solving exercises, and other activities. We assessed feasibility outcomes of the early cognitive plus physical therapy intervention. At 3 months, we also assessed cognitive, functional, and health-related quality of life outcomes. Data are presented as median (interquartile range) or frequency (%). Early cognitive therapy was a delivered to 41/43 (95 %) of cognitive plus physical therapy patients on 100 % (92–100 %) of study days beginning 1.0 (1.0–1.0) day following enrollment. Physical therapy was received by 17/22 (77 %) of usual care patients, by 21/22 (95 %) of physical therapy only patients, and 42/43 (98 %) of cognitive plus physical therapy patients on 17 % (10–26 %), 67 % (46–87 %), and 75 % (59–88 %) of study days, respectively. Cognitive, functional, and health-related quality of life outcomes did not differ between groups at 3-month follow-up. This pilot study demonstrates that early rehabilitation can be extended beyond physical therapy to include cognitive therapy. Future work to determine optimal patient selection, intensity of treatment, and benefits of cognitive therapy in the critically ill is needed.

Validation of the KDIGO acute kidney injury criteria in a pediatric critical care population.

Abstract: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs commonly in critically ill children and has been associated with increased mortality of up to 50 %. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) AKI working group has proposed a standardized definition of AKI. Utilizing routinely available clinical data, we evaluated the KDIGO AKI criteria and the relationship of AKI with relevant outcomes in a single center tertiary pediatric intensive care (PICU) and cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) population. The University of Michigan Pediatric Critical Care Database was probed for all discharges from the pediatric intensive care and cardiac intensive care units between July 2011 and October 2013 (N = 4,645). The KDIGO serum creatinine (SCr)-based criteria staged AKI with the modification that a minimum SCr of greater than 0.5 mg/dL was required to be classified as AKI. Exclusion: end-stage renal disease, new renal transplant, missing PRISM III data, or no measured Cr during intensive care unit (ICU) admission (N = 1,636). AKI occurred in 737 (24.5 %, stage 1 = 193, stage 2 = 189, and stage 3 = 355) of 3,009 discharges (PICU N = 1,870, CICU N = 1,139) that included 2,415 patients. In multivariate analysis AKI was associated with increased ICU length of stay (LOS) in hours (stage I β = 42.2, p = 0.024, II β = 74.1, p = 0.003, III β = 215.8, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that AKI was associated with increased odds of ICU mortality (OR 3.4, 95 % CI 2.0–6.0) and increased length of mechanical ventilation among those requiring mechanical ventilation (β = 2.3 days, p < 0.001). Using the KDIGO criteria to define AKI, we observed a high prevalence of AKI among critically ill children. Worsening stages of AKI were associated with increased ICU LOS, and AKI was independently associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and increased mortality. The KDIGO criteria describe clinically relevant AKI in a broad pediatric critical care population.

De-escalation versus continuation of empirical antimicrobial treatment in severe sepsis: a multicenter non-blinded randomized noninferiority trial

Abstract: Background In patients with severe sepsis, no randomized clinical trial has tested the concept of de-escalation of empirical antimicrobial therapy. This study aimed to compare the de-escalation strategy with the continuation of an appropriate empirical treatment in those patients.

Association between intravenous chloride load during resuscitation and in-hospital mortality among patients with SIRS

Abstract: Purpose Recent data suggest that both elevated serum chloride levels and volume overload may be harmful during fluid resuscitation. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the intravenous chloride load and in-hospital mortality among patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), with and without adjustment for the crystalloid volume administered.

Prone positioning reduces mortality from acute respiratory distress syndrome in the low tidal volume era: a meta-analysis.

Abstract: Purpose Prone positioning for ARDS has been performed for decades without definitive evidence of clinical benefit. A recent multicenter trial demonstrated for the first time significantly reduced mortality with prone positioning. This meta-analysis was performed to integrate these findings with existing literature and test whether differences in tidal volume explain conflicting results among randomized trials.

International consensus statement on training standards for advanced critical care echocardiography

Abstract: Endorsed by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Thoracic Society (ATS), Société de Réanimation de Langue Française (SRLF), Asia Pacific Association of Critical Care Medicine, Canadian Critical Care Society, College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand, Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists, Hong Kong Society of Critical Care Medicine. All authors certify that they endorse all parts of the published manuscript. The expert round table participants and the authors as a group are listed in the Appendix.

Outcome of acute respiratory distress syndrome patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and brought to a referral center

Abstract: Patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are candidates for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. The evaluation of organ severity is difficult in patients considered for cannulation in a distant hospital. This study was designed to identify early factors associated with hospital mortality in ARDS patients treated with ECMO and retrieved from referring hospitals. Data from 85 consecutive ARDS patients equipped with ECMO by our mobile team and consequently admitted to our ICU were prospectively collected and analyzed. The main ARDS etiologies were community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (35 %), influenza pneumonia (23 %) (with 12 patients having been treated during the first half of the study period), and nosocomial pneumonia (14 %). The median (interquartile range) time between contact from the referring hospital and patient cannulation was 3 (1–4) h. ECMO was venovenous in 77 (91 %) patients. No complications occurred during transport by our mobile unit. Forty-eight patients died at the hospital (56 %). Based on a multivariate logistic regression, a score including age, SOFA score, and a diagnosis of influenza pneumonia was constructed. The probability of hospital mortality following ECMO initiation was 40 % in the 0–2 score class (n = 58) and 93 % in the 3–4 score class (n = 27). Patients with an influenza pneumonia diagnosis and a SOFA score before ECMO of less than 12 had a mortality rate of 22 %. Age, SOFA score, and a diagnosis of influenza may be used to accurately evaluate the risk of death in ARDS patients considered for retrieval under ECMO from distant hospitals.

Specific MAIT cell behaviour among innate-like T lymphocytes in critically ill patients with severe infections

Abstract: In between innate and adaptive immunity, the recently identified innate-like mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) lymphocytes display specific reactivity to non-streptococcal bacteria. Whether they are involved in bacterial sepsis has not been investigated. We aimed to assess the number and the time course of circulating innate-like T lymphocytes (MAIT, NKT and γδ T cells) in critically ill septic and non-septic patients and to establish correlations with the further development of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infections. We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Controls were critically ill patients with non-septic shock and age-matched healthy subjects. Circulating innate-like lymphocytes were enumerated using a flow cytometry assay at day 1, 4 and 7. One hundred and fifty six patients (113 severe bacterial infections, 36 non-infected patients and 7 patients with severe viral infections) and 26 healthy subjects were enrolled into the study. Patients with severe bacterial infections displayed an early decrease in MAIT cell count [median 1.3/mm3; interquartile range (0.4–3.2)] as compared to control healthy subjects [31.1/mm3 (12.1–45.2)], but also to non-infected critically ill patients [4.3/mm3 (1.4–13.2)] (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). In contrast NKT and γδ T cell counts did not differ between patients groups. The multivariate analysis identified non-streptococcal bacterial infection as an independent determinant of decrease in MAIT cell count. Furthermore, the incidence of ICU-acquired infections was higher in patients with persistent MAIT cell depletion. This large human study provides valuable information about MAIT cells in severe bacterial infections. The persistent depletion of MAIT cells is associated with the further development of ICU-acquired infections.

Prognostic factors and historical trends in the epidemiology of candidemia in critically ill patients: an analysis of five multicenter studies sequentially conducted over a 9-year period.

Abstract: Purpose To describe temporal trends in the epidemiology, clinical management and outcome of candidemia in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Dysglycaemia in the critically ill and the interaction of chronic and acute glycaemia with mortality

Abstract: Purpose Hyperglycaemia is common in the critically ill. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of critical illness-associated hyperglycaemia (CIAH) and recognised and unrecognised diabetes in the critically ill as well as to evaluate the impact of premorbid glycaemia on the association between acute hyperglycaemia and mortality.

Video laryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy for orotracheal intubation in the intensive care unit: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: Single studies of video laryngoscopy (VL) use for airway management in intensive care unit (ICU) patients have produced controversial findings. The aim of this study was to critically review the literature to investigate whether VL reduces difficult orotracheal intubation (OTI) rate, first-attempt success, and complications related to intubation in ICU patients, compared to standard therapy, defined as direct laryngoscopy (DL). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, as well as prospective and retrospective observational studies, by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and bibliographies of articles retrieved. We screened for relevant studies that enrolled adults in whom the trachea was intubated in the ICU and compared VL to DL. We included studies reporting at least one clinical outcome of interest to perform a meta-analysis. We generated pooled odd ratios (OR) across studies. The primary outcome measure was difficult OTI. The secondary outcomes were first-attempt success, Cormack 3/4 grades, and complications related to intubation (severe hypoxemia, severe cardiovascular collapse, airway injury, esophageal intubation). Nine trials with a total of 2,133 participants (1,067 in DL and 1,066 in VL) were included in the current analysis. Compared to DL, VL reduced the risk of difficult OTI [OR 0.29 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.44, p < 0.001)], Cormack 3/4 grades [OR 0.26 (95 % CI 0.17–0.41, p < 0.001)], and esophageal intubation [0.14 (95 % CI 0.02–0.81, p = 0.03)] and increased the first-attempt success [OR 2.07 (95 % CI 1.35–3.16, p < 0.001)]. No statistically significant difference was found for severe hypoxemia, severe cardiovascular collapse or airway injury. These results suggest that VL could be useful in airway management of ICU patients.

Cerebral metabolic effects of exogenous lactate supplementation on the injured human brain.

Abstract: Purpose Experimental evidence suggests that lactate is neuroprotective after acute brain injury; however, data in humans are lacking. We examined whether exogenous lactate supplementation improves cerebral energy metabolism in humans with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Risk factors for target non-attainment during empirical treatment with β-lactam antibiotics in critically ill patients

Abstract: Risk factors for β-lactam antibiotic underdosing in critically ill patients have not been described in large-scale studies. The objective of this study was to describe pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) target non-attainment envisioning empirical dosing in critically ill patients and considering a worst-case scenario as well as to identify patient characteristics that are associated with target non-attainment. This analysis uses data from the DALI study, a prospective, multi-centre pharmacokinetic point-prevalence study. For this analysis, we assumed that these were the concentrations that would be reached during empirical dosing, and calculated target attainment using a hypothetical target minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), namely the susceptibility breakpoint of the least susceptible organism for which that antibiotic is commonly used. PK/PD targets were free drug concentration maintained above the MIC of the suspected pathogen for at least 50 % and 100 % of the dosing interval respectively (50 % and 100 % f T >MIC). Multivariable analysis was performed to identify factors associated with inadequate antibiotic exposure. A total of 343 critically ill patients receiving eight different β-lactam antibiotics were included. The median (interquartile range) age was 60 (47–73) years, APACHE II score was 18 (13–24). In the hypothetical situation of empirical dosing, antibiotic concentrations remained below the MIC during 50 % and 100 % of the dosing interval in 66 (19.2 %) and 142 (41.4 %) patients respectively. The use of intermittent infusion was significantly associated with increased risk of non-attainment for both targets; creatinine clearance was independently associated with not reaching the 100 % f T >MIC target. This study found that—in empirical dosing and considering a worst-case scenario—19 % and 41 % of the patients would not achieve antibiotic concentrations above the MIC during 50 % and 100 % of the dosing interval. The use of intermittent infusion (compared to extended and continuous infusion) was the main determinant of non-attainment for both targets; increasing creatinine clearance was also associated with not attaining concentrations above the MIC for the whole dosing interval. In the light of this study from 68 ICUs across ten countries, we believe current empiric dosing recommendations for ICU patients are inadequate to effectively cover a broad range of susceptible organisms and need to be reconsidered.

Capillary refill time exploration during septic shock

Abstract: During septic shock management, the evaluation of microvascular perfusion by skin analysis is of interest. We aimed to study the skin capillary refill time (CRT) in a selected septic shock population. We conducted a prospective observational study in a tertiary teaching hospital. After a preliminary study to calculate CRT reproducibility, all consecutive patients with septic shock during a 10-month period were included. After initial resuscitation at 6 h (H6), we recorded hemodynamic parameters and analyzed their predictive value on 14-day mortality. CRT was measured on the index finger tip and on the knee area. CRT was highly reproducible with an excellent inter-rater concordance calculated at 80 % [73–86] for index CRT and 95 % [93–98] for knee CRT. A total of 59 patients were included, SOFA score was 10 [7–14], SAPS II was 61 [50–78] and 14-day mortality rate was 36 %. CRT measured at both sites was significantly higher in non-survivors compared to survivors (respectively 5.6 ± 3.5 vs 2.3 ± 1.8 s, P < 0.0001 for index CRT and 7.6 ± 4.6 vs 2.9 ± 1.7 s, P < 0.0001 for knee CRT). The CRT at H6 was strongly predictive of 14-day mortality as the area under the curve was 84 % [75–94] for the index measurement and was 90 % [83–98] for the knee area. A threshold of index CRT at 2.4 s predicted 14-day outcome with a sensitivity of 82 % (95 % CI [60–95]) and a specificity of 73 % (95 % CI [56–86]). A threshold of knee CRT at 4.9 s predicted 14-day outcome with a sensitivity of 82 % (95 % CI [60–95]) and a specificity of 84 % (95 % CI [68–94]). CRT was significantly related to tissue perfusion parameters such as arterial lactate level and SOFA score. Finally, CRT changes during shock resuscitation were significantly associated with prognosis. CRT is a clinical reproducible parameter when measured on the index finger tip or the knee area. After initial resuscitation of septic shock, CRT is a strong predictive factor of 14-day mortality.

Therapeutic drug monitoring-based dose optimisation of piperacillin and meropenem: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract: Purpose There is variability in the pharmacokinetics (PK) of antibiotics (AB) in critically ill patients. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) could overcome this variability and increase PK target attainment. The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of a dose-adaption strategy based on daily TDM on target attainment.

Impact of lung ultrasound on clinical decision making in critically ill patients

Abstract: Purpose To assess the impact of lung ultrasound (LU) on clinical decision making in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients.

Characteristics and prognosis of sudden cardiac death in Greater Paris: population-based approach from the Paris Sudden Death Expertise Center (Paris-SDEC).

Abstract: Purpose Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major public health concern, but data regarding epidemiology of this disease in Western European countries are outdated. This study reports the first results from a large registry of SCD.

Optic nerve sheath diameter on computed tomography is correlated with simultaneously measured intracranial pressure in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Abstract: Assess the relationship between optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured on bedside portable computed tomography (CT) scans and simultaneously measured intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Retrospective cohort study of 57 patients admitted between 2009 and 2013. Linear and logistic regression were used to model the correlation and discrimination between ONSD and ICP or intracranial hypertension, respectively. The cohort had a mean age of 40 years (SD 16) and a median admission Glasgow coma score of 7 (IQR 4–10). The between-rater agreement by intraclass coefficient was 0.89 (95 % CI 0.83–0.93, P < 0.001). The mean ONSD was 6.7 mm (SD 0.75) and the mean ICP during CT was 21.3 mmHg (SD 8.4). Using linear regression, there was a strong correlation between ICP and ONSD (r = 0.74, P < 0.001). ONSD had an area under the curve to discriminate elevated ICP (≥20 mmHg vs. <20 mmHg) of 0.83 (95 % CI 0.73–0.94). Using a cutoff of 6.0 mm, ONSD had a sensitivity of 97 %, specificity of 42 %, positive predictive value of 67 %, and a negative predictive value of 92 %. Comparing linear regression models, ONSD was a much stronger predictor of ICP (R 2 of 0.56) compared to other CT features (R 2 of 0.21). Simultaneous measurement of ONSD on CT and ICP were strongly correlated and ONSD was discriminative for intracranial hypertension. ONSD was much more predictive of ICP than other CT features. There was excellent agreement between raters in measuring ONSD.

The impact of patient positioning on pressure ulcers in patients with severe ARDS: results from a multicentre randomised controlled trial on prone positioning

Abstract: Purpose Placing patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the prone position has been shown to improve survival as compared to the supine position. However, a higher frequency of pressure ulcers has been reported in patients in the prone position. The objective of this study was to verify the impact of prone positioning on pressure ulcers in patients with severe ARDS.

One-year mortality and predictors of death among hospital survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract: Advances in supportive care and ventilator management for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have resulted in declines in short-term mortality, but risks of death after survival to hospital discharge have not been well described Our objective was to quantify the difference between short-term and long-term mortality in ARDS and to identify risk factors for death and causes of death at 1 year among hospital survivors This multi-intensive care unit, prospective cohort included patients with ARDS enrolled between January 2006 and February 2010 We determined the clinical characteristics associated with in-hospital and 1-year mortality among hospital survivors and utilized death certificate data to identify causes of death Of 646 patients hospitalized with ARDS, mortality at 1 year was substantially higher (41 %, 95 % CI 37–45 %) than in-hospital mortality (24 %, 95 % CI 21–27 %), P < 00001 Among 493 patients who survived to hospital discharge, the 110 (22 %) who died in the subsequent year were older (P < 0001) and more likely to have been discharged to a nursing home, other hospital, or hospice compared to patients alive at 1 year (P < 0001) Important predictors of death among hospital survivors were comorbidities present at the time of ARDS, and not living at home prior to admission ARDS-related measures of severity of illness did not emerge as independent predictors of mortality in hospital survivors Despite improvements in short-term ARDS outcomes, 1-year mortality is high, mostly because of the large burden of comorbidities, which are prevalent in patients with ARDS