José Luiz Gomes do Amaral

Influence of sedation on morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit

CONTEXTO: Embora cerca de 30% a 50% dos pacientes hospitalizados em unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI) recebam algum tipo de sedativo, existe escassez de informacoes sobre efeitos adversos desta pratica, especialmente no Brasil. Estes efeitos podem ser significantes e o uso de sedativos e associado a elevacao de infeccao e mortalidade, mesmo sendo dificil avaliar o impacto clinico deste procedimento. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto da sedacao sobre incidencia de complicacoes e mortalidade em doentes graves durante internacao em unidade de terapia intensiva. TIPO DE ESTUDO: Estudo prospectivo. LOCAL: Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Cirurgica da Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina. PARTICIPANTES: Apos excluidos pacientes que permaneceram menos de 24 horas ou sem exames indispensaveis para o calculo do indice de gravidade (APACHE II), restaram 307 pacientes. Estes foram divididos em dois grupos: Grupo Sedado e Grupo Nao Sedado. Constatada heterogeneidade com relacao ao APACHE II, foram pareados 97 sedados e 97 nao sedados com identicos indices de gravidade. VARIAVEIS ESTUDADAS: Impacto da sedacao e das tecnicas sobre a mortalidade, tempo de internacao, alem da incidencia de escara de decubito ou pressao, trombose venosa profunda e infeccao. RESULTADOS: Nao houve diferenca na incidencia de trombose venosa profunda, entre os grupos Sedado e Nao Sedado, enquanto que escara de decubito foi significativamente maior nos sedados (p = 0,03). Infeccao foi detectada em 45,4% dos pacientes com sedacao e em 21,6% dos pacientes sem sedacao (p = 0,006). A mortalidade para os pacientes que nao receberam qualquer tipo de sedativo foi de 20,6% e, para aqueles que foram sedados durante a internacao, foi de 52,6% (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSOES: Conclui-se que a sedacao esta associada a maior duracao da internacao, morbidade e mortalidade significativas. Apesar da intensidade das associacoes encontradas, nao e possivel estabelecer relacao causal entre sedacao e mortalidade.

Perioperative glucocorticoid administration for prevention of systemic organ failure in patients undergoing esophageal resection for esophageal carcinoma

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Preoperative glucocorticoid administration has been proposed for reducing postoperative morbidity. This is not widely used before esophageal resection because of incomplete knowledge regarding its effectiveness. The aim here was to assess the effects of preoperative glucocorticoid administration in adults undergoing esophageal resection for esophageal carcinoma. SEARCH STRATEGY Studies were identified by searching the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cancer Lit, SCIELO and Cochrane Library, and by manual searching from relevant articles. The last search for clinical trials for this systematic review was performed in December 2004. SELECTION CRITERIA This review included randomized studies of patients with potentially resectable carcinomas of the esophagus that compared preoperative glucocorticoid administration with placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Data were extracted by the same reviewers, and the trial quality was assessed using Jadad scoring. Relative risk and weighted mean difference with 95% confidence limits were used to assess the significance of the difference between the treatment arms. RESULTS Four randomized trials involving 146 patients were found. There were no differences in postoperative mortality, sepsis, anastomotic leakage, hepatic and renal failure between the glucocorticoid and placebo groups. There were fewer postoperative respiratory complications (p = 0.005) and multiple postoperative complications (p = 0.004) and lower postoperative plasma interleukin-6 levels (p = 0.00001) with preoperative glucocorticoid administration. There was a higher postoperative PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p = 0.0001) with preoperative glucocorticoid administration. CONCLUSION Prophylactic administration of glucocorticoids is associated with decreased postoperative complications.

Effects of prone position on the oxygenation of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by arterial hypoxemia, and prone position (PP) is one possible management strategy. The objective here was to evaluate the effects of PP on oxygenation. DESIGN AND SETTING Non-randomized, open, prospective, controlled clinical trial, in a surgical intensive care unit at a tertiary university hospital. METHODS Forty-one ARDS patients underwent PP for three-hour periods. Arterial partial oxygen pressure (PaO2) was measured immediately before changing to PP, after 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes in PP and 60 minutes after returning to dorsal recumbent position (DP). The paired-t and Dunnett tests were used. RESULTS A notable clinical improvement in oxygenation (> 15%) was detected in 78.0% of patients. This persisted for 60 minutes after returning to DP in 56% and lasted for 12 and 48 hours in 53.6% and 46.3%, respectively. Maximum improvement was seen after 30 minutes in 12.5% of responding patients and after 180 minutes in 40.6%. No statistically significant associations between PP response and age, gender, weight, PEEP level, tidal volume, respiratory rate, PaO2/FiO2 or duration of mechanical ventilation were detected. One accidental extubation and four cases of deterioration through oxygenation were detected. The 48-hour mortality rate was 17%. CONCLUSIONS For a significant number of ARDS patients, PP may rapidly enhance arterial oxygenation and its inclusion for management of severe ARDS is justified. However, it is not a cost-free maneuver and caution is needed in deciding on using PP.

Qualidade e humanização do atendimento em Medicina Intensiva. Qual a visão dos familiares

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to describe the view of family members about the quality of care given in a general intensive care unit of a university hospital. METHODS: A questionnaire to evaluate the level of satisfaction with the care was elaborated. The study included family members of patients with a length of stay more than 48h who already had visited the patient one time or more during the period. The exclusion criterion was family of admitted patients with less than 48h of ICU stay, family members who had not visited the patient at all or family members who did not desire to answer the questionnaire for any personal reason. RESULTS: There were 100 relatives interviewed face to face. The most frequent complaint that had generated the greatest concern was the general status of the patient, present in 28% of the interviews. A total of 96% considered the quality of the medical team as excellent or good. However, 15% declared to be unsatisfied with the medical information given and the other 5%, although admitting satisfaction, complained about having to talk with different doctors each day. CONCLUSIONS: Imperfections in the communication appears as the main predictor of unsatisfactory quality of the service in the view of the family members. Although one cannot directly compare the degree of satisfaction between distinct studies due to different methodologies, we considered that in the presented sample the recognition of the most frequent factors of dissatisfaction can point out areas for improvement in the quality of care offered in the ICU.

Comparison between cardiac output values measured by thermodilution and partial carbon dioxide rebreathing in patients with acute lung injury

CONTEXT Thermodilution, which is considered to be a standard technique for measuring the cardiac output in critically ill patients, is not free from relevant risks. There is a need to find alternative, noninvasive, automatic, simple and accurate methods for monitoring cardiac output at the bedside. OBJECTIVE To compare cardiac output measurements by thermodilution and partial carbon dioxide rebreathing in patients with acute lung injury at two levels of severity (lung injury score, LIS: below 2.5, group A; and above 2.5, group B). TYPE OF STUDY Comparative, prospective and controlled study. SETTING Intensive Care Units of two university hospitals. METHODS Cardiac output was measured by thermodilution and partial carbon dioxide rebreathing. Twenty patients with acute lung failure (PaO2/FiO2 < 300) who were under mechanical ventilation and from whom 294 measurements were taken: 164 measurements in group A (n = 11) and 130 in group B (n = 9), ranging from 14 to 15 determinations per patient. RESULTS There was a poor positive correlation between the methods studied for the patients from groups A (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and B (r = 0.47, p < 0.001). The application of the Bland-Altman test made it possible to expose the lack of agreement between the methods (group A: -0.9 +/- 2.71 l/min; 95% CI = -1.14 to -0.48; and group B: -1.75 +/- 2.05 l/min; 95% CI = -2.11 to -1.4). The comparison of the results (Student t and Mann-Whitney tests) within each group and between the groups showed significant difference (p = 0.000, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION Errors in estimating CaCO2 (arterial CO2 content) from ETCO2 (end-tidal CO2) and situations of hyperdynamic circulation associated with dead space and/or increased shunt possibly explain our results. CONCLUSION Under the conditions of this study, the results obtained allow us to conclude that, in patients with acute lung injury, the cardiac output determined by partial rebreathing of CO2 differs from the measurements obtained by thermodilution. This difference becomes greater, the more critical the lung injury is.

Clonidine as Pre-Anesthetic Medication in Cataract Extration: Comparison between 100 μg and 200 μg

Summary Background and objectives The objective of the present study was to evaluate the degree of sedation, intraocular pressure, and hemodynamic changes with premedication with low doses of oral clonidine, 100 μg and 200 μg, in outpatient cataract surgeries. Methods This is a randomized, double-blind, clinical study undertaken at the Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo with 60 patients of both genders, physical status ASA 1 and 2, ages 18 to 80 years. Patients were separated into three groups: placebo, clonidine 100 μg, and clonidine 200 μg. Intraocular pressure, heart rate, and blood pressure besides assessment of sedation were measured before and 90 minutes after the administration of clonidine. Sedation levels were classified according to the Ramsay sedation scale. Results Patients who received placebo and 100 μg of clonidine did not show reduction in heart rate, while a reduction in heart rate was observed in patients who received 200 μg of clonidine, and this difference was statistically significant. Patients who received 200 μg of clonidine also had a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p Conclusions Clonidine 100 μg can be indicated as premedication for fasciectomies, being effective in sedation and reduction of intraocular pressure, without adverse effects on blood pressure and heart rate.

Controle da dor pós-operatória da artroplastia total do joelho: é necessário associar o bloqueio do nervo isquiático ao bloqueio do nervo femoral?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) causes severe tissue trauma, leading to severe postoperative pain. Good postoperative analgesia is fundamental and one should consider that early mobilization of the joint is an important aspect to obtain good results. There is a controversy in the literature on the efficacy of isolated femoral nerve block. The objective of this study was to evaluate postoperative analgesia with the association of sciatic and femoral nerve block. METHODS: Seventeen patients undergoing TKA under spinal anesthesia were divided in two groups: A and B. In Group A (n = 9), femoral nerve block was performed, while in Group B (n = 8), femoral and sciatic nerve block were done. The blockades were done in the immediate postoperative period with 20 mL of 0.5% of ropivacaine. Pain was evaluated in the first 24 hours using the Visual Analog Scale and the verbal scale. The length of time between the nerve block and the first complaint of pain (M1) was also evaluated. RESULTS: The median of the duration of analgesia (M1) in Group A was 110 min, while in Group B it was 1285 min (p = 0.0001). There were no complications related to the technique used. CONCLUSIONS: Sciatic nerve block, when associated with femoral nerve block, under the conditions of the present study, improved significantly the quality of postoperative analgesia in TKA.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) causes severe tissue trauma, leading to severe postoperative pain. Good postoperative analgesia is fundamental and one should consider that early mobilization of the joint is an important aspect to obtain good results. There is a controversy in the literature on the efficacy of isolated femoral nerve block. The objective of this study was to evaluate postoperative analgesia with the association of sciatic and femoral nerve block. METHODS Seventeen patients undergoing TKA under spinal anesthesia were divided in two groups: A and B. In Group A (n = 9), femoral nerve block was performed, while in Group B (n = 8), femoral and sciatic nerve block were done. The blockades were done in the immediate postoperative period with 20 mL of 0.5% of ropivacaine. Pain was evaluated in the first 24 hours using the Visual Analog Scale and the verbal scale. The length of time between the nerve block and the first complaint of pain (M1) was also evaluated. RESULTS The median of the duration of analgesia (M1) in Group A was 110 min, while in Group B it was 1285 min (p = 0.0001). There were no complications related to the technique used. CONCLUSIONS Sciatic nerve block, when associated with femoral nerve block, under the conditions of the present study, improved significantly the quality of postoperative analgesia in TKA.

Malignant hyperthermia in Brazil: analysis of hotline activity in 2009

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a pharmacogenetic disease that causes abnormal hypermetabolic reaction to halogenated anesthetics and/or depolarizing muscle relaxants. In Brazil, there is a hotline telephone service for MH since 1991, available 24 hours a day in São Paulo. This article analyzes the activity of the Brazilian hotline service for MH in 2009. METHODS Prospective analysis of all phone calls made to the Brazilian hotline service for MH from January to December 2009. RESULTS Twenty-two phone calls were received: 21 from the South/Southeast region of Brazil and one from the North region. Fifteen calls were requests for general information about MH. Seven were about suspected MH acute episodes, two of which were not considered as MH. In five episodes compatible with MH, all patients received halogenated volatile anesthetics (2, isoflurane; 3, sevoflurane) and one also used succinylcholine; there were four men and one woman, with a mean age of 18 years (2-27). The problems described in the five MH episodes were tachycardia (5), increased expired carbon dioxide (4), hyperthermia (3), acidemia (1), rhabdomyolysis (1), and myoglobinuria (1). One patient received dantrolene. All five patients with MH episodes were follow-up in the intensive care unit and recovered without sequelae. Susceptibility to MH was later confirmed in two patients by in vitro muscle contracture test. CONCLUSIONS The number of calls per year in the Brazilian hotline service for MH is still low. The characteristics of MH episode were similar to those reported in other countries. The knowledge of MH in Brazil needs to be increased.

Control of postoperative pain following total knee arthroplasty: is it necessary to associate sciatic nerve block to femoral nerve block?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) causes severe tissue trauma, leading to severe postoperative pain. Good postoperative analgesia is fundamental and one should consider that early mobilization of the joint is an important aspect to obtain good results. There is a controversy in the literature on the efficacy of isolated femoral nerve block. The objective of this study was to evaluate postoperative analgesia with the association of sciatic and femoral nerve block. METHODS: Seventeen patients undergoing TKA under spinal anesthesia were divided in two groups: A and B. In Group A (n = 9), femoral nerve block was performed, while in Group B (n = 8), femoral and sciatic nerve block were done. The blockades were done in the immediate postoperative period with 20 mL of 0.5% of ropivacaine. Pain was evaluated in the first 24 hours using the Visual Analog Scale and the verbal scale. The length of time between the nerve block and the first complaint of pain (M1) was also evaluated. RESULTS: The median of the duration of analgesia (M1) in Group A was 110 min, while in Group B it was 1285 min (p = 0.0001). There were no complications related to the technique used. CONCLUSIONS: Sciatic nerve block, when associated with femoral nerve block, under the conditions of the present study, improved significantly the quality of postoperative analgesia in TKA.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) causes severe tissue trauma, leading to severe postoperative pain. Good postoperative analgesia is fundamental and one should consider that early mobilization of the joint is an important aspect to obtain good results. There is a controversy in the literature on the efficacy of isolated femoral nerve block. The objective of this study was to evaluate postoperative analgesia with the association of sciatic and femoral nerve block. METHODS Seventeen patients undergoing TKA under spinal anesthesia were divided in two groups: A and B. In Group A (n = 9), femoral nerve block was performed, while in Group B (n = 8), femoral and sciatic nerve block were done. The blockades were done in the immediate postoperative period with 20 mL of 0.5% of ropivacaine. Pain was evaluated in the first 24 hours using the Visual Analog Scale and the verbal scale. The length of time between the nerve block and the first complaint of pain (M1) was also evaluated. RESULTS The median of the duration of analgesia (M1) in Group A was 110 min, while in Group B it was 1285 min (p = 0.0001). There were no complications related to the technique used. CONCLUSIONS Sciatic nerve block, when associated with femoral nerve block, under the conditions of the present study, improved significantly the quality of postoperative analgesia in TKA.

Parte II: monitorização hemodinâmica básica e cateter de artéria pulmonar

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Monitoring of vital functions is one of the most important tools in the management of critically ill patients. Nowadays is possible to detect and analyze a great deal of physiologic data using a lot of invasive and non-invasive methods. The intensivist must be able to select and carry out the most appropriate monitoring technique according to the patient requirements and taking into account the benefit/risk ratio. Despite the fast development of non invasive monitoring techniques, invasive hemodynamic monitoring using Pulmonary Artery Catheter still is one of the basic procedures in Critical Care. The aim was to define recommendations about clinical utility of basic hemodynamic monitoring methods and the Use of Pulmonary Artery Catheter. METHODS: Modified Delphi methodology was used to create and quantify the consensus between the participants. AMIB indicated a coordinator who invited more six experts in the area of monitoring and hemodynamic support to constitute the Consensus Advisory Board. Twenty-five physicians and nurses selected from different regions of the country completed the expert panel, which reviewed the pertinent bibliography listed at the MEDLINE in the period from 1996 to 2004. RESULTS: Recommendations were made based on 55 questions about the use of central venous pressure, invasive arterial pressure, pulmonary artery catheter and its indications in different settings. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of central venous pressure and invasive arterial pressure, besides variables obtained by the PAC allow the understanding of cardiovascular physiology that is of great value to the care of critically ill patients. However, the correct use of these tools is fundamental to achieve the benefits due to its use.