Epaminondas Zakynthinos

Vasopressin, Steroids, and Epinephrine and Neurologically Favorable Survival After In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE Among patients with cardiac arrest, preliminary data have shown improved return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital discharge with the vasopressin-steroids-epinephrine (VSE) combination. OBJECTIVE To determine whether combined vasopressin-epinephrine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and corticosteroid supplementation during and after CPR improve survival to hospital discharge with a Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) score of 1 or 2 in vasopressor-requiring, in-hospital cardiac arrest. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial performed from September 1, 2008, to October 1, 2010, in 3 Greek tertiary care centers (2400 beds) with 268 consecutive patients with cardiac arrest requiring epinephrine according to resuscitation guidelines (from 364 patients assessed for eligibility). INTERVENTIONS Patients received either vasopressin (20 IU/CPR cycle) plus epinephrine (1 mg/CPR cycle; cycle duration approximately 3 minutes) (VSE group, n = 130) or saline placebo plus epinephrine (1 mg/CPR cycle; cycle duration approximately 3 minutes) (control group, n = 138) for the first 5 CPR cycles after randomization, followed by additional epinephrine if needed. During the first CPR cycle after randomization, patients in the VSE group received methylprednisolone (40 mg) and patients in the control group received saline placebo. Shock after resuscitation was treated with stress-dose hydrocortisone (300 mg daily for 7 days maximum and gradual taper) (VSE group, n = 76) or saline placebo (control group, n = 73). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) for 20 minutes or longer and survival to hospital discharge with a CPC score of 1 or 2. RESULTS Follow-up was completed in all resuscitated patients. Patients in the VSE group vs patients in the control group had higher probability for ROSC of 20 minutes or longer (109/130 [83.9%] vs 91/138 [65.9%]; odds ratio [OR], 2.98; 95% CI, 1.39-6.40; P = .005) and survival to hospital discharge with CPC score of 1 or 2 (18/130 [13.9%] vs 7/138 [5.1%]; OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.17-9.20; P = .02). Patients in the VSE group with postresuscitation shock vs corresponding patients in the control group had higher probability for survival to hospital discharge with CPC scores of 1 or 2 (16/76 [21.1%] vs 6/73 [8.2%]; OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.20-11.62; P = .02), improved hemodynamics and central venous oxygen saturation, and less organ dysfunction. Adverse event rates were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Among patients with cardiac arrest requiring vasopressors, combined vasopressin-epinephrine and methylprednisolone during CPR and stress-dose hydrocortisone in postresuscitation shock, compared with epinephrine/saline placebo, resulted in improved survival to hospital discharge with favorable neurological status. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00729794.

Serum VEGF levels are related to the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis

BackgroundThe association between systemic sclerosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is well recognized. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been reported to play an important role in pulmonary hypertension. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between systolic pulmonary artery pressure, clinical and functional manifestations of the disease and serum VEGF levels in systemic sclerosis.MethodsSerum VEGF levels were measured in 40 patients with systemic sclerosis and 13 control subjects. All patients underwent clinical examination, pulmonary function tests and echocardiography.ResultsSerum VEGF levels were higher in systemic sclerosis patients with sPAP ≥ 35 mmHg than in those with sPAP < 35 mmHg (352 (266, 462 pg/ml)) vs (240 (201, 275 pg/ml)) (p < 0.01), while they did not differ between systemic sclerosis patients with sPAP < 35 mmHg and controls. Serum VEGF levels correlated to systolic pulmonary artery pressure, to diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide and to MRC dyspnea score. In multiple linear regression analysis, serum VEGF levels, MRC dyspnea score, and DLCO were independent predictors of systolic pulmonary artery pressure.ConclusionSerum VEGF levels are increased in systemic sclerosis patients with sPAP ≥ 35 mmHg. The correlation between VEGF levels and systolic pulmonary artery pressure may suggest a possible role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of PAH in systemic sclerosis.

New insights into the mechanisms involved in B-type natriuretic peptide elevation and its prognostic value in septic patients

IntroductionElevated plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with critical sepsis (severe sepsis and septic shock) may indicate septic cardiomyopathy. However, multiple heterogeneous conditions may also be involved in increased BNP level. In addition, the prognostic value of BNP in sepsis remains debatable. In this study, we sought to discover potential independent determinants of BNP elevation in critical sepsis. The prognostic value of BNP was also evaluated.MethodsIn this observational study, we enrolled mechanically ventilated, critically septic patients requiring hemodynamic monitoring through a pulmonary artery catheter. All clinical, laboratory and survival data were prospectively collected. Plasma BNP concentrations were measured daily for five consecutive days. Septic cardiomyopathy was assessed on day 1 on the basis of left and right ventricular ejection fractions (EF) derived from echocardiography and thermodilution, respectively. Mortality was recorded at day 28.ResultsA total of 42 patients with severe sepsis (N = 12) and septic shock (N = 30) were ultimately enrolled. Daily BNP levels were significantly elevated in septic shock patients compared with those with severe sepsis (P ≤0.002). Critical illness severity (assessed by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II and maximum Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores), and peak noradrenaline dose on day 1 were independent determinants of BNP elevation (P <0.05). Biventricular EFs were inversely correlated with longitudinal BNP measurements (P <0.05), but not independently. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressures (PCWP) and volume expansion showed no correlation with BNP. In septic shock, increased central venous pressure (CVP) and CVP/PCWP ratio were independently associated with early BNP values (P <0.05).Twenty-eight-day mortality was 47.6% (20 of 42 patients). Daily BNP values poorly predicted outcome; BNP on day 1 > 800 pg/ml (the best cutoff point) fairly predicted mortality, with a sensitivity%, specificity% and area under the curve values of 65, 64 and 0.70, respectively (95% confidence interval = 0.54 to 0.86; P = 0.03). Plasma BNP levels declined faster in survivors than in nonsurvivors in both critical sepsis and septic shock (P ≤0.002). In septic shock, a BNP/CVP ratio >126 pg/mmHg/ml on day 2 and inability to reduce BNP <500 pg/ml implied increased mortality (P ≤0.036).ConclusionsThe severity of critical illness, rather than septic cardiomyopathy, is probably the major determinant of BNP elevation in patients with critical sepsis. Daily BNP values are of limited prognostic value in predicting 28-day mortality; however, fast BNP decline over time and a decrease in BNP <500 pg/ml may imply a favorable outcome.

Endothelial Progenitor Cells in the Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: An Evolving Concept

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been associated with abnormal vascular remodeling. Bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are considered to possess lung tissue repair and vascular remodeling properties. Objectives The study aimed to assess early EPCs levels and EPCs endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in IPF. In order to examine alterations in the mobilization of EPCs from the bone marrow we measured plasma VEGF. Main Results Twenty-three patients with IPF and fifteen healthy subjects were included. The number of early EPCs colonies was markedly reduced in IPF patients vs controls (6.00±6.49 vs 49.68±16.73, respectively, p<0.001). EPCs were further decreased in patients presenting systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP)≥35 mmHg. The number of colonies per well correlated negatively with P(A-a)O2 (r =  −0.750, p<0.001). Additionally, VEGF mRNA levels were significantly increased in IPF patients. There were no differences observed in VEGF plasma levels in IPF patients when compared to controls. Conclusions The current data suggest that inadequate levels of early EPCs may potentially contribute to suppressed repair and recovery of the damaged pulmonary endothelium and thereby may drive the sequence of events in profibrogenic direction. Increased VEGFmRNA levels in the clinical context of IPF may represent a compensatory mechanism to overcome reduced EPCs levels.

Sonographic assessment of changes in diaphragmatic kinetics induced by inspiratory resistive loading

Diaphragmatic breathing patterns under resistive loading remain poorly documented. To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing diaphragmatic motion under conditions of inspiratory resistive loading with the use of sonography.

Nebulised colistin for ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention.

We evaluated whether prophylactic nebulised colistin could reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rates in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting with prevalent multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. We used a single-centre, two-arm, randomised, open-label, controlled trial in a 12-bed ICU in the University Hospital of Larissa, Greece. Patient inclusion criteria included mechanical ventilation of >48 h. The two arms consisted of prophylaxis with 500 000 U colistin (Col group) or normal saline (NS group), thrice daily, for the first 10 ICU days or until extubation. The primary outcome of the study was the 30-day VAP incidence. In total, 168 patients entered the study. VAP incidence was not different between Col and NS group patients (14 (16.7%) versus 25 (29.8%), respectively, p=0.07). Regarding the secondary outcomes, the intervention resulted in a lower VAP incidence density rate (11.4 versus 25.6, respectively, p<0.01), and less Gram-negative bacteria-VAP (p=0.03) and MDR-VAP (p=0.04). Among VAP patients (n=39), prophylaxis with inhaled colistin improved ICU survival (p=0.016). There was no evidence of increased resistance to colistin or multidrug resistance. Our findings suggest that nebulised colistin had no significant effect on VAP incidence. In a RCT, nebulised colistin prophylaxis did not decrease ventilator-associated pneumonia incidence http://ow.ly/R8FOE

Ventilator-Associated Tracheobronchitis Increases the Length of Intensive Care Unit Stay

OBJECTIVE To investigate prospectively the clinical course and risk factors for ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) and the impact of VAT on intensive care unit (ICU) morbidity and mortality. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING University Hospital Larissa, Larissa, Greece. PATIENTS Critical care patients who received mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours were prospectively studied between 2009 and 2011. METHODS The modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score, white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein level were systematically assessed every 2 days for the first 2 weeks of ICU stay. Bronchial secretions were assessed daily. Quantitative cultures of endotracheal secretions were performed on the first ICU day for every patient and every 2 days thereafter for the first 2 weeks or more at the discretion of the attending physicians. Definition of VAT was based on previously published criteria. RESULTS A total of 236 patients were observed; 42 patients (18%) presented with VAT. Gram-negative pathogens, which were usually multidrug resistant, were responsible for 92.9% of cases. Patients with a neurosurgical admission presented with VAT significantly more often than did other ICU patients (28.5% vs 14.1%; . The occurrence P=.02) of VAT was a significant risk factor for increased duration of ICU stay (OR [95% CI], 3.04 [1.35–6.85]; P=.01). Age (OR [95% CI], 1.04 [1.015–1.06]; P=.02), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (OR [95% CI], 1.08 [1.015–1.16]; P=.02), and C-reactive protein level at admission (OR [95% CI], 1.05 [1.01–1.1]; P=.02) were independent factors for ICU mortality. CONCLUSIONS VAT is a nosocomial infection that might be associated with prolonged stay in the ICU, especially in neurocritical patients. VAT was not associated with increased mortality in our study.

Atypical presentation of varicella-zoster virus encephalitis in an immunocompetent adult.

BACKGROUND Varicella-zoster virus encephalitis is uncommon, but not rare, in immunocompetent adults. Typically, patients develop stroke with hemiplegia caused by large vessel vasculopathy days to weeks after herpes zoster ophthalmicus. METHOD A previously healthy 66-year-old man developed obtundation deteriorating to coma within 24 hours. He had lymphocytic meningitis and multiple bilateral edematous and hemorrhagic lesions predominantly in the white matter, and intraventricular and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Treatment with acyclovir and dexamethasone was readily administered. The diagnosis of varicella-zoster virus encephalitis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid. No zosteriform rash preceded or followed encephalitis. Two years later, the patient is in good health, and no relapse or sign of immunosuppression has been reported. CONCLUSION This is a case of varicella-zoster virus encephalitis in an immunocompetent patient presenting without typical rash and with clinicoradiologic features of multifocal encephalitis, which characterize immunosuppression.

Changes in dynamic lung mechanics after lung volume reduction coil treatment of severe emphysema

We assessed the relationships between changes in lung compliance, lung volumes and dynamic hyperinflation in patients with emphysema who underwent bronchoscopic treatment with nitinol coils (coil treatment) (n=11) or received usual care (UC) (n=11). Compared with UC, coil treatment resulted in decreased dynamic lung compliance (CLdyn) (p=0.03) and increased endurance time (p=0.010). The change in CLdyn was associated with significant improvement in FEV1 and FVC, with reduction in residual volume and intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure, and with increased inspiratory capacity at rest/and at exercise. The increase in end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) during exercise (EELVdyn-ch=EELVisotime EELVrest) demonstrated significant attenuation after coil treatment (p=0.02).

The value of computed tomography perfusion & transcranial Doppler in early diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm in aneurysmal & traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage

Early detection and diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage may be challenging both on clinical and radiographic grounds. In this respect we conducted a pilot study in order to assess the feasibility of the technique in the everyday setting of a tertiary hospital and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of different diagnostic computed tomography perfusion aspects in diagnosing the clinical outcome of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed that a cerebral blood flow value of <24.5 presented 67% sensitivity and 100% specificity to diagnose adverse ischemic events at 1 month (p = 0.041). These case series data provide evidence that computed tomography perfusion-derived cerebral blood flow is a measurable index that may detect the degree of cerebral ischemia in a very early stage.