King-Chung Chan

Regional citrate anticoagulation in predilution continuous venovenous hemofiltration using prismocitrate 10/2 solution.

Regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is associated with a longer filter life and fewer bleeding events. Complexity of the regimen is the major hurdle preventing widespread application. This study describes a simple predilution continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) protocol utilizing a commercially prepared replacement solution containing citrate (Prismocitrate 10/2). Ten patients with acute renal failure were evaluated. The Prismaflex system was used for predilution CVVH, with Prismocitrate 10/2 running at 2500 mL/h as the main predilution replacement. An 8.4% sodium bicarbonate solution was infused at 50 mL/h in the first 2 h followed by 30 mL/h; 10% calcium gluconate was given to achieve an ionized calcium (iCa) level of 1–1.2 mmol/L. The circuit was run for 72 h unless there was filter clotting, transportation was required, or the patient did not require further CRRT. Total treatment duration was 504.5 h. The post‐dilution equivalent ultrafiltration rate was 32.9 mL/kg/h (interquartile range [IQR] 31.6–38.2) and the median circuit life was 50.3 h (IQR 25.5–72.0). None of the circuit was changed due to circuit clotting. The median systemic iCa was 0.98 mmol/L (IQR 0.91–1.08). The total calcium‐to‐iCa ratio was 2.33 (IQR 2.21–2.45). None of the patients developed hypernatremia (Na ≥ 150 mmol/L) or citrate toxicity (total Ca‐to‐iCa ratio > 2.5 plus increasing metabolic acidosis), and metabolic alkalosis (pH ≥ 7.5) occurred in one patient. This simple RCA CVVH protocol using commercially‐prepared solution could be a feasible, relatively safe, and effective alternative to the conventional regimen for patients with a body weight up to 80 kg.

A Retrospective Review of the Use of Regional Citrate Anticoagulation in Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration for Critically Ill Patients

Background. The emergence of a commercially prepared citrate solution has revolutionized the use of RCA in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety profile of a commercially prepared citrate solution. Method. Predilution continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) was performed using Prismocitrate 10/2 at 2500 mL/h and a blood flow rate of 150 mL/min. Calcium chloride solution was infused to maintain ionized calcium within 1.0–1.2 mmol/L. An 8.4% sodium bicarbonate solution was infused separately. Treatment was stopped when the predefined clinical target was reached or the filter clotted. Result. 58 sessions of citrate RCA were analyzed. The median circuit lifetime was 26.0 h (interquartile range IQR 21.2–44.3). The percentage of circuits lasting more than 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h was 94.6%, 58.9%, and 16.1%, respectively. There was no incidence of hypernatremia and median pH was <7.5. Hypomagnesemia and hypophosphatemia were detected in 41.6% and 17.6% of blood samples taken, respectively. Although 16 episodes had a total calcium/ionized calcium (total Ca/iCa) >2.5, only four patients had evidence of citrate accumulation. Conclusion. The commercially prepared citrate solution could be used safely in critically ill patients who required CVVH with no major adverse events.

Septic acute kidney injury in critically ill patients – a single-center study on its incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcome predictors

Abstract Purpose The objective of this study is to examine the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcome (90-day mortality) of critically ill Chinese patients with septic AKI. Methods Patients admitted to the ICU of a regional hospital from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2013 were included, excluding those on chronic renal replacement therapy. AKI was defined using KDIGO criteria. Patients were followed till 90 days from ICU admission or death, whichever occurred earlier. Demographics, diagnosis, clinical characteristics, and outcome were analyzed. Results In total, 3687 patients were included and 54.7% patients developed AKI. Sepsis was the most common cause of AKI (49.2%). Compared to those without AKI, AKI patients had higher disease severity, more physiological and biochemical disturbance, and carried significant co-morbidities. Ninety-day mortality increased with severity of AKI (16.7, 27.5, and 48.3% for KDIGO stage 1, 2, and 3 AKI, p < 0.001). Full renal recovery was achieved in 71.6% of AKI patients. Compared with non-septic AKI, septic AKI was associated with higher disease severity and required more aggressive support. Non-recovery of renal function occurred in 2.5% of patients with septic AKI, compared with 6.4% in non-septic AKI (p < 0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that age, emergency ICU admission, post-operative cases, admission diagnosis, etiology of AKI, disease severity score, mechanical ventilation, vasopressor support, and blood parameters (like albumin, potassium and pH) independently predicted 90-day mortality. Conclusions AKI, especially septic AKI is common in critically ill Chinese patients and is associated with poor patient outcome. Etiology of AKI has a significant impact on 90-day mortality and may affect renal outcome.

The use of regional citrate anticoagulation continuous venovenous hemofiltration in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) frequently requires continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Additional anticoagulation for the CRRT circuit is usually not employed, but this may increases the risk of clot embolization, which shortens oxygenator lifespan and increases patient’s risk. We report our experience on the use of regional citrate anticoagulation continuous venovenous hemofiltration (RCA-CVVH) connected to an ECMO circuit, which could be useful during low heparin or heparin-free ECMO situations. Regional citrate anticoagulation continuous venovenous hemofiltration was performed using AK200US machine with a blood flow of 150 ml/min, Acid Citrate Dextrose Solution prefilter infusion at 240 ml/hr, ultrafiltration rate of 2,040 ml/hr, and postdilutional online generated replacement fluid infused as appropriate. The circuit was aimed to run for 30 hrs. From May 2009 to May 2013, 63 patients received ECMO and 29 received RCA-CVVH. The median total CVVH time was 131 hrs (interquartile range [IQR]: 61–224 hrs), and hemofilter life was 27.2 hrs (IQR: 25.7–28.5 hrs). No hemofilter or oxygenator was changed because of clotting. Their hospital mortality was 27.6%. There were eight patients, who were judged to be too sick for anticoagulation, received predilution CRRT during the same period. Their hospital mortality was 75%. In conclusion, online postdilutional RCA-CVVH connected to an ECMO circuit is a feasible, safe, and effective CRRT technique.

Outcome of elderly patients who receive intensive care at a regional hospital in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical outcome (180-day mortality) of very elderly critically ill patients (age ≥80 years) and compare with those aged 60 to 79 years. DESIGN Historical cohort study. SETTING Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS Patients aged ≥60 years admitted between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2013 to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. RESULTS Over 5 years, 4226 patients aged ≥60 years were admitted (55.5% total intensive care unit admissions), of whom 32.8% were aged ≥80 years. The proportion of patients aged ≥80 years increased over 5 years. As expected, those aged ≥80 years carried more significant co-morbidities and a higher disease severity compared with those aged 60 to 79 years. They required more mechanical ventilatory support, were less likely to receive renal replacement therapy, and had a higher intensive care unit/hospital/180-day mortality compared with those aged 60 to 79 years. Nonetheless, 71.8% were discharged home and 62.2% survived >180 days following intensive care unit admission. Cox regression analysis revealed that Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation IV-minus-Age score, emergency admission, intensive care unit admission due to cardiovascular problem, neurosurgical cases, presence of significant co-morbidities (diabetes mellitus, metastatic carcinoma, leukaemia, or myeloma), and requirement for mechanical ventilation independently predicted 180-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of critically ill patients aged ≥80 years increased over a 5-year period. Despite having more significant co-morbidities, greater disease severity, and higher intensive care unit/hospital/180-day mortality rate compared with those aged 60 to 79 years, 71.8% of those ≥80 years could be discharged home and 62.2% survived >180 days following intensive care unit admission. Disease severity, presence of co-morbidities, requirement for mechanical ventilation, emergency cases, and admission diagnosis independently predicted 180-day mortality.

Predictive value of plasma neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin for acute kidney injury in intensive care unit patients after major non‐cardiac surgery

The performance of plasma neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (pNGAL) for prediction of acute kidney injury (AKI) in non‐cardiac surgical patients has not been well described. This study investigates the use of pNGAL for early detection of AKI in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) after major or ultra‐major non‐cardiac surgery.

Impact of renal replacement therapy on survival in patients with KDIGO Stage 3 acute kidney injury: A propensity score matched analysis

To investigate the impact of renal replacement therapy (RRT) on 90‐day mortality in critically ill patients suffering from KDIGO stage 3 acute kidney injury (AKI) with or without life‐threatening complications using propensity score matching analysis.

Treatment of acute kidney injury complicating septic shock with EMiC2 high-cutoff hemofilter: Case series

Introduction: Extracorporeal blood purification therapies have been proposed to improve outcomes of patients with severe sepsis, with or without accompanying acute kidney injury (AKI), by removal of excessive inflammatory mediators. Materials and Methods: We report our experience with EMiC2 high-cutoff continuous venovenous hemofiltration/hemodialysis (HCO-CVVH/HD) in seven patients with AKI complicating septic shock. Results: The median treatment duration was 71 h, and the procedure was well tolerated. Trough serum albumin level of 20 g/L was observed after 2 h of treatment and none of the patients required albumin supplement. The hospital mortality rate was 29%, which appeared more favorable than the predicted mortality of 60%–78% based on disease severity scores. Circulating levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha improved over time. Conclusion: This case series shows that HCO-CVVH/CVVHD using EMiC2 hemofilter may provide good cytokine modulation, when used along with good quality standard sepsis therapy. A further large-scale prospective randomized controlled trial is recommended.

Preoperative red cell distribution width: Not a useful prognostic indicator for 30-day mortality in patients who undergo major- or ultra-major noncardiac surgery

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown to be associated with mortality in cardiac surgical patients. This study investigates the association of RDW with the 30-day mortality for those patients who undergo major- or ultra-major noncardiac surgery. Methods: Patients who received major- or ultra-major noncardiac surgery between July 2012 and May 2013 were included in the study and patients those with preoperative hemoglobin <10 g/day were excluded from the study. Patients were followed till day 30 from the date of surgery or death, whichever occurred earlier. Results: The overall 30-day mortality for major- and ultra-major surgery was 11.4%. The mean RDW of the 30-day survivors was 13.6 ± 1.6 and that of nonsurvivors was 14.2 ± 2.1 (P < 0.001). Other factors that were significantly different (P < 0.05) between survivors and nonsurvivors included age, sex, preoperative pulse rate, current or ex-alcoholic, the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, diabetes mellitus, use of antihypertensives, sepsis with 48 h before surgery, preoperative hemoglobin, white cell count, sodium, urea, creatinine, albumin, international normalized ratio (INR), pH, base excess, estimated blood loss, and emergency surgery. Logistic regression revealed that preoperative RDW > 13.35% (P = 0.025, odds ratio [OR]: 1.52), INR (P = 0.008, OR: 4.49), albumin level (P < 0.001, OR: 1.10), use of antihypertensives (P = 0.001, OR: 1.82), and preoperative pulse rate (P = 0.006, OR: 1.02) independently predicted the 30-day mortality. However, the area under receiver operating characteristic curve for the prediction of 30-day mortality using RDW was only 0.614. Conclusions: Although preoperative RDW independently predicted 30-day mortality in patients who underwent major- or ultra-major noncardiac surgery, it may not serve as an influential prognostic indicator in view of its low sensitivity and specificity.

Timing for Initiation of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Patients With Septic Shock and Acute Kidney Injury: Letters to the Editor

1. Shum H-P, Chan K-C, Kwan M-C, Yeung AW-T, Cheung EW-S, Yan W-W. Timing for initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy in patients with septic shock and acute kidney injury. Ther Apher Dial 2013;17:305–10. 2. Brar H, Olivier J, Lebrun C, Gabbard W, Fulop T, Schmidt DW. Predictors of mortality in a cohort of intensive care unit patients with acute renal failure receiving continuous renal replacement therapy. Am J Med Sci 2008;335:342–7. 3. Fülöp T, Pathak MB, Schmidt DW et al. Volume-related weight gain and subsequent mortality in acute renal failure patients treated with continuous renal replacement therapy. ASAIO J 2010;56:333. 4. Vaara ST, Korhonen A-M, Kaukonen K-M et al. Fluid overload is associated with an increased risk for 90-day mortality in critically ill patients with renal replacement therapy: data from the prospective FINNAKI study. Crit Care 2012;16:R197. 5. Teixeira C, Garzotto F, Piccinni P et al. Fluid balance and urine volume are independent predictors of mortality in acute kidney injury. Crit Care 2013;17:R14.