Jefferson Pedro Piva

Evolution of the medical practices and modes of death on pediatric intensive care units in southern Brazil

Objectives: To study the possible change on mode of deaths, medical decision practices, and family participation on decisions for limiting life-sustaining treatments (L-LST) over a period of 13 yrs in three pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) located in southern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a retrospective chart review (1988 and 1998) and on prospective data collection (from May 1999 to May 2000). Setting: Three PICUs in Porto Alegre, southern Brazilian region. Patients: Children who died in those PICUs during the years of 1988, 1998, and between May 1999 and May 2000. Results: The 3 PICUs admitted 6,233 children during the study period with a mortality rate of 9.2% (575 deaths), and 509 (88.5%) medical charts were evaluated in this study. Full measures for life support (F-CPR) were recognized in 374 (73.5%) children before dying, brain death (BD) was diagnosed in 43 (8.4%), and 92 (18.1%) underwent some limitation of life support treatment (L-LST) There were 140 (27.5%) deaths within the first 24 hrs of admission and 128 of them (91.4%) received F-CPR, whereas just 11 (7.9%) patients underwent L-LST. The average length of stay for the death group submitted to F-CPR was lower (3 days) than the L-LST group (8.5 days; p < .05). The rate of F-CPR before death decreased significantly between 1988 (89.1%) and 1999/2000 (60.8%), whereas the L-LST rose in this period from 6.2% to 31.3%. These changes were not uniform among the three PICUs, with different rates of L-LST (p < .05). The families were involved in the decision-making process for L-LST in 35.9% of the cases, increasing from 12.5% in 1988 to 48.6% in 1999/2000. The L-LST plans were recorded in the medical charts in 76.1% of the deaths, increasing from 50.0% in 1988 to 95.9% in 1999/2000. Conclusion: We observed that the modes of deaths in southern Brazilian PICUs changed over the last 13 yrs, with an increment in L-LST. However, this change was not uniform among the studied PICUs and did not reach the levels described in countries of the Northern Hemisphere. Family participation in the L-LST decision-making process has increased over time, but it is still far behind what is observed in other parts of the world.

Comparison of two prognostic scores (PRISM and PIM) at a pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE To compare the performance of the PRISM (Pediatric Risk of Mortality) and the PIM (Pediatric Index of Mortality) scores at a general pediatric intensive care unit, investigating the relation between observed mortality and survival and predicted mortality and survival. METHODS A contemporary cohort study undertaken between 1 June 1999 and 31 May 2000 at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital São Lucas pediatric intensive care unit. The inclusion criteria and the PRISM and PIM calculations were performed as set out in the original articles and using the formulae as published. Statistical analysis for model evaluation employed the Flora z test, Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, ROC curve (receiver operating characteristic) and Spearmans correlation tests. The study was approved by the institutions Ethics Committee. RESULTS Four hundred and ninety-eight patients were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, 77 of whom presented exclusion criteria. Thirty-three (7.83%) of the 421 patients studied died and 388 patients were discharged. Estimated mortality by PRISM was 30.84 (7.22%) with a standardized mortality rate of 1.07 (0.74-1.50), z = -0.45 and by PIM this was 26.13 (6.21%) with a standardized mortality rate of 1.26 (0.87-1.77), z = -1.14. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test gave a chi-square of 9.23 (p = 0.100) for PRISM and 27.986 (p < 0.001) for PIM. The area under the ROC curve was 0.870 (0.810-0.930) for PRISM and 0.845 (0.769-0.920) for PIM. The Spearman test returned r = 0.65 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Analyzing the tests we can observe that, although the PIM test was less well calibrated overall, both PRISM and PIM offer a good capacity for discriminating between survivors and moribund patients. They are tools with comparable performance at the prognostic evaluation of the pediatric patients admitted to our unit.

Risk factors for extubation failure in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients

Objective: To describe the incidence of extubation failure and its associated risk factors among mechanically ventilated children. Method: Prospective cohort study. Children who were mechanically ventilated for longer than 12 hrs were followed up to 48 hrs after extubation. Cases of upper airway obstruction, accidental extubation, tracheostomy, or death before extubation were excluded. Extubation failure was defined as reintubation within 48 hrs after extubation. Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney, and chi-squared tests, odds ratio with 95% confidence interval, and multivariate analysis were used for data analysis. Results: Extubation failure rate was 10.5% (13 of 124 patients). Variables associated with extubation failure were age between 1 and 3 mos (odds ratio [OR] = 5.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.58–20.42), mechanical ventilation >15 days (OR = 6.36; 95% CI = 1.32–30.61), mean oxygenation index (OI) >5 (OR = 4.08; 95% CI = 1.25–13.30), mean airway pressure 24 hrs before extubation lower than 5 cm H2O (OR = 6.03; 95% CI = 1.48–24.60), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (OR = 4.71; 95% CI = 1.34–16.58), dopamine and dobutamine use (OR = 3.71; 95% CI = 1.08–12.78), intravenous sedation >10 days (OR = 6.60; 95% CI = 1.62–26.90), tachypnea and subcostal retractions (relative risk [RR] = 3.68; 95% CI = 1.14–11.93), and inspired fraction of oxygen (Fio2)>0.4 after extubation (RR = 3.63; 95% CI = 1.21–10.88). After multiple logistic regression analysis, age between 1 and 3 mos, mean OI >5, CPAP and mechanical ventilation >15 days remained associated with extubation failure. Conclusion: Extubation failure was more frequent among young infants who received prolonged ventilatory support and intravenous sedation, used CPAP, had impaired lung oxygenation, and required inotropic therapy.

Ferritin levels in children with severe sepsis and septic shock

Aim: To evaluate serum ferritin level in children with severe sepsis and septic shock and its association with mortality.

Terminalidade e cuidados paliativos na unidade de terapia intensiva

The objective of this review was to evaluate current knowledge regarding terminal illness and palliative care in the intensive care unit, to identify the major challenges involved and propose a research agenda on these issues The Brazilian Critical Care Association organized a specific forum on terminally ill patients, to which were invited experienced and skilled professionals on critical care. These professionals were divided in three groups: communication in the intensive care unit, the decision making process when faced with a terminally ill patient and palliative actions and care in the intensive care unit. Data and bibliographic references were stored in a restricted website. During a twelve hour meeting and following a modified Delphi methodology, the groups prepared the final document. Consensual definition regarding terminality was reached. Good communication was considered the cornerstone to define the best treatment for a terminally ill patient. Accordingly some communication barriers were described that should be avoided as well as some approaches that should be pursued. Criteria for palliative care and palliative action in the intensive care unit were defined. Acceptance of death as a natural event as well as respect for the patients autonomy and the nonmaleficence principles were stressed. A recommendation was made to withdraw the futile treatment that prolongs the dying process and to elected analgesia and measures that alleviate suffering in terminally ill patients. To deliver palliative care to terminally ill patients and their relatives some principles and guides should be followed, respecting individual necessities and beliefs. The intensive care unit staff involved with the treatment of terminally ill patients is subject to stress and tension. Availability of a continuous education program on palliative care is desirable.

Waist circumference in children and adolescents correlate with metabolic syndrome and fat deposits in young adults

BACKGROUND & AIMS To determine the relevance of waist circumference (WC) measurement and monitoring in children and adolescents as an early indicator of overweight, metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular problems in young adults in comparison with visceral and subcutaneous adiposity. METHODS A cohort study with 159 subjects (51.6% female) started in 1999 with an average age of 13.2 years. In 1999, 2006 and 2008 weight, height, and WC were evaluated. In 2006 blood samples for laboratory diagnosis of MS were added. In 2008 abdominal computed tomography (ACT) to quantify the fat deposits were also added. RESULTS The WC measured in children and adolescents was strongly correlated with body mass index (BMI) measured simultaneously. A strong correlation was established between WC in 1999 with measures of WC and BMI as young adults. WC strongly correlated with fat deposits in ACT. The WC in 1999 expressed more subcutaneous fat (SAT), while the WC when young adults expressed strong correlation with both visceral fat (VAT) and SAT. The correlation of WC with fat deposits was stronger in females. WC and not BMI in 1999 was significantly higher in the group that evolved to MS. CONCLUSIONS The WC in children and adolescents was useful in screening patients for MS. WC expressed the accumulation of abdominal fat; especially subcutaneous fat.

End-of-life care in children: the Brazilian and the international perspectives

OBJECTIVE To analyze the medical practices and the end-of-life care provided to children admitted to pediatric intensive care units in different parts of the globe. SOURCES Articles on end-of-life care published during the last 20 years were selected from the PubMed, MEDLINE and LILACS databases, with emphasis on studies of death in pediatric intensive care units in Brazil, Latin America, Europe and North America, using the following keywords: death, bioethics, pediatric intensive care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and life support limitation. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS Publications on life support limitation (LSL) are concentrated in North America and Europe. In North American pediatric intensive care units there is a greater incidence of LSL (approximately 60%) than in Europe or Latin America (30-40%). These differences appear to be related to cultural, religious, legal and economic factors. Over the last decade, LSL in Brazilian pediatric intensive care units has increased from 6 to 40%, with do not resuscitate orders as the most common method. Also of note is the low level of family participation in the decision-making process. A recent resolution adopted by the Federal Medical Council (Conselho Federal de Medicina) regulated LSL in our country, demystifying a certain apprehension of a legal nature. The authors present a proposal for a protocol to be followed in these cases. CONCLUSIONS The adoption of LSL with children in the final phases of irreversible diseases has ethical, moral and legal support. In Brazil, these measures are still being adopted in a timid manner, demanding a change in behavior, especially in the involvement of families in the decision-making process.

Perfil epidemiológico de dezesseis anos de uma unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica

OBJETIVO: Revisar e descrever os dados epidemiologicos dos pacientes admitidos em uma unidade de terapia pediatrica brasileira (UTIP) e compara-los aos aspectos clinicos associados aos indices de gravidade e mortalidade. Descrever as caracteristicas desses pacientes, incluindo os dados demograficos, prevalencia de doencas, indices de mortalidade e fatores associados. METODOS: Os dados foram coletados retrospectivamente de todos os pacientes admitidos na UTIP de um hospital universitario entre 1978 e 1994. Os dados foram expressos em percentagens e comparados pelo teste qui-quadrado, calculando-se o risco relativo (RR) com um intervalo de confianca de 95%, considerando-se um p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionados 13.101 pacientes - em sua maioria meninos (58,4%) - com doenca clinica (73,1%), menores de 12 meses de idade (40,4%) e eutroficos (69,5%). O indice geral de mortalidade foi de 7,4%. Os pacientes menores de 12 meses de idade mostraram um RR de 1,86 (CI 1,65-2,10; p<0,0001), enquanto que a desnutricao mostrou um RR de 2,98 (IC 2,64-3,36; p<0,0001). CONCLUSOES: O levantamento epidemiologico mostrou que a mortalidade e maior entre desnutridos e menores de 12 meses de idade. A sepse foi a principal causa de morte.

Prevalence of burnout in pediatric intensivists: an observational comparison with general pediatricians.

Objective: To study the prevalence of burnout in general pediatricians and pediatric intensivists and to evaluate factors that may be associated with this syndrome. Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: Pediatric departments of two hospitals in south Brazil. Patients: Pediatric intensivists working in two regional PICUs and general pediatricians working in the outpatient departments in the same hospitals. Intervention: Two researchers, blinded to the workplace of the physicians, undertook the assessment of burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory scale. Burnout was defined as high score in the domains for “emotional exhaustion” or “depersonalization” or a low score in the “professional accomplishment” domain. Measurements and Main Results: The PICU and general pediatrician groups were similar demographically, and each had 35 recruits. Burnout was present in 50% of the study recruits and was more frequent among pediatric intensivists than general pediatricians (71% vs 29%, respectively, p < 0.01). In regard to the individual Maslach Burnout Inventory domains, the average score was higher for emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and lower for professional accomplishment in the PICU group (p < 0.01). A cluster analysis showed that pediatric intensivists were more likely to develop the burnout syndrome involving all Maslach Burnout Inventory domains. The multivariate analysis found that the odds ratio for burnout in pediatric intensivists was 5.7 (95% CI, 1.9–16.7; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Burnout is frequent among pediatric intensivists and characterized by cumulative involvement of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and professional accomplishment. Earlier recognition of emotional exhaustion may be important in preventing the development of a complete burnout syndrome. Improvement in workplace characteristics and measures to improve physician resilience are entirely warranted.

End-of-life care in Brazil

Brazil is a vast developing country with marked social, educational, cultural, and economical discrepancies. Current overall life-expectancy is approx. 72 years and is increasing. The elderly population (> 65 years old) estimated for the year 2020 will be 9% of the entire Brazilian population. In general, low-income patients are cared for in public hospitals, while high-income patients and those covered by health insurances are cared for in private hospitals. Intensive care units (ICU) are located mostly in metropolitan areas, predominantly in the southeast and south of the country. End-of-life (EOL) related issues are still a taboo in Brazil and have been neglected until recent years. Furthermore, intensive care is a relatively novel medical specialty, and Brazilian intensivists have been more interested in innovative technologies and modalities of treatments. However, as the remarkable advances in intensive care have taken place in recent years, the concern about disproportionate or unwanted use of these new treatments for some patients has risen. As a consequence the debate about EOL-related questions has fortunately increased in recent years [1, 2].