Barbara Lara

Capillary refill time during fluid resuscitation in patients with sepsis-related hyperlactatemia at the emergency department is related to mortality

Introduction Acute circulatory dysfunction in patients with sepsis can evolve rapidly into a progressive stage associated with high mortality. Early recognition and adequate resuscitation could improve outcome. However, since the spectrum of clinical presentation is quite variable, signs of hypoperfusion are frequently unrecognized in patients just admitted to the emergency department (ED). Hyperlactatemia is considered a key parameter to disclose tissue hypoxia but it is not universally available and getting timely results can be challenging in low resource settings. In addition, non-hypoxic sources can be involved in hyperlactatemia, and a misinterpretation could lead to over-resuscitation in an unknown number of cases. Capillary refill time (CRT) is a marker of peripheral perfusion that worsens during circulatory failure. An abnormal CRT in septic shock patients after ICU-based resuscitation has been associated with poor outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal CRT in patients with sepsis-related hyperlactatemia in the early phase after ED admission, and its relationship with outcome. Methods We performed a prospective observational study. Septic patients with hyperlactemia at ED admission subjected to an initial fluid resuscitation (FR) were included. CRT and other parameters were assessed before and after FR. CRT-normal or CRT-abnormal subgroups were defined according to the status of CRT following initial FR, and major outcomes were registered. Results Ninety-five hyperlactatemic septic patients were included. Thirty-one percent had abnormal CRT at ED arrival. After FR, 87 patients exhibited normal CRT, and 8 an abnormal one. Patients with abnormal CRT had an increased risk of adverse outcomes (88% vs. 20% p<0.001; RR 4.4 [2.7–7.4]), and hospital mortality (63% vs. 9% p<0.001; RR 6.7 [2.9–16]) as compared to those with normal CRT after FR. Specifically, CRT-normal patients required less frequently mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, and ICU admission, and exhibited a lower hospital mortality. Conclusions Hyperlactatemic sepsis patients with abnormal CRT after initial fluid resuscitation exhibit higher mortality and worse clinical outcomes than patients with normal CRT.

Medication overdoses at a public emergency department in Santiago, Chile

Introduction While a nationwide poison control registry exists in Chile, reporting to the center is sporadic and happens at the discretion of the treating physician or by patients’ self-report. Moreover, individual hospitals do not monitor accidental or intentional poisoning in a systematic manner. The goal of this study was to identify all cases of intentional medication overdose (MO) that occurred over two years at a large public hospital in Santiago, Chile, and examine its epidemiologic profile. Methods This study is a retrospective, explicit chart review conducted at Hospital Sótero del Rio from July 2008 until June 2010. We included all cases of identified intentional MO. Alcohol and recreational drugs were included only when they were ingested with other medications. Results We identified 1,557 cases of intentional MO and analyzed a total of 1,197 cases, corresponding to 0.51% of all emergency department (ED) presentations between July 2008 and June 2010. The median patient age was 25 years. The majority was female (67.6%). Two peaks were identified, corresponding to the spring of each year sampled. The rate of hospital admission was 22.2%. Benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) were the causative agents most commonly found, comprising 1,044 (87.2%) of all analyzed cases. Acetaminophen was involved in 81 (6.8%) cases. More than one active substance was involved in 35% of cases. In 7.3% there was ethanol co-ingestion and in 1.0% co-ingestion of some other recreational drug (primarily cocaine). Of 1,557 cases, six (0.39%) patients died. TCA were involved in two of these deaths. Conclusion Similar to other developed and developing nations, intentional MO accounts for a significant number of ED presentations in Chile. Chile is unique in the region, however, in that its spectrum of intentional overdoses includes an excess burden of tricyclic antidepressant and benzodiazepine overdoses, a relatively low rate of alcohol and recreational drug co-ingestion, and a relatively low rate of acetaminophen ingestion.

Out of hospital cardiac arrest events at an urban Hospital in Chile

Background: The incidence of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is approximately 20 to 140 per 100.000 inhabitants. International registries, based on Utstein criteria have allowed standardized reporting of OHCA profiles and outcomes in different countries. We proposed to create a local OHCA registry. Aim: To assess the quality of the information about OHCA currently recorded in medical records according to Utstein guidelines. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records of patients arriving in the emergency room of a public hospital with OHCA during a 3-year period. Data regarding the patient characteristics, event and outcomes were analyzed. Results: During the revision period, 317 patients arrived with an OHCA. None of the medical records had complete data on items that are considered a minimum requirement by Utstein guidelines. Mean age of patients was 63 years old, 60% were men, the most common arrest rhythm was asystole (43%) and 8% of patients were discharged alive. Conclusions: Data recorded in medical records is insufficient to inform the profile of OHCA. A prospective registry is currently being implemented based on the information provided by this study. This registry should optimize reporting and data analysis.Background: The incidence of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is approximately 20 to 140 per 100.000 inhabitants. International registries, based on Utstein criteria have allowed standardized reporting of OHCA profiles and outcomes in different countries. We proposed to create a local OHCA registry. Aim: To assess the quality of the information about OHCA currently recorded in medical records according to Utstein guidelines. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records of patients arriving in the emergency room of a public hospital with OHCA during a 3-year period. Data regarding the patient characteristics, event and outcomes were analyzed. Results: During the revision period, 317 patients arrived with an OHCA. None of the medical records had complete data on items that are considered a minimum requirement by Utstein guidelines. Mean age of patients was 63 years old, 60% were men, the most common arrest rhythm was asystole (43%) and 8% of patients were discharged alive. Conclusions: Data recorded in medical records is insufficient to inform the profile of OHCA. A prospective registry is currently being implemented based on the information provided by this study. This registry should optimize reporting and data analysis. (Rev Med Chile 2017; 145: 1308-1311)

Medicina de Urgencia y Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos. Una alianza necesaria en busca de la mejoría de la atención de pacientes críticos.

The need for critical care services is increasing in Chile. Critical care beds and specialists in this area are scarce. In this article we discuss some aspects that hamper the care of critically ill patients from their arrival to the emergency department to their transfer to the ICU. Special emphasis is given to system saturation and its multiple causes. The benefits of an integrative approach between emergency medicine and critical care specialists are highlighted and some solutions are proposed to strengthen this partnership.The need for critical care services is increasing in Chile. Critical care beds and specialists in this area are scarce. In this article we discuss some aspects that hamper the care of critically ill patients from their arrival to the emergency department to their transfer to the ICU. Special emphasis is given to system saturation and its multiple causes. The benefits of an integrative approach between emergency medicine and critical care specialists are highlighted and some solutions are proposed to strengthen this partnership.