Leonid Barski

Prior Statin Therapy Is Associated With a Decreased Rate of Severe Sepsis

Background—Statins have anti-inflammatory properties that are independent of their lipid-lowering abilities. We hypothesized that statin therapy before the onset of an acute bacterial infection may have a protective effect against severe sepsis. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients treated with statins develop severe sepsis less frequently. Methods and Results—In this prospective observational cohort study, consecutive patients admitted with presumed or documented acute bacterial infection were enrolled. The primary outcomes were the rate of severe sepsis and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Of the 361 patients enrolled, 82 (22.7%) were treated with statins before their admission. Both groups had a similar severity of illness on admission. Severe sepsis developed in 19% of patients in the no-statin group and in only 2.4% of the statin group (P<0.001). Statin treatment was associated with a relative risk of developing severe sepsis of 0.13 (95% CI, 0.03 to 0.52) and an absolute risk reduction of 16.6%. The overall ICU admission rate was 10.2% (37/361): 12.2% of the no-statin group required ICU admission, whereas in the statin group only 3.7% were admitted to the ICU (P=0.025), reflecting a relative risk of ICU admission of 0.30 (95% CI, 0.1 to 0.95). Conclusions—Prior therapy with statins may be associated with a reduced rate of severe sepsis and ICU admission. If supported by prospective controlled trials, statins may have a role in the primary prevention of sepsis.

The role of cardiac troponin I as a prognosticator in critically ill medical patients: a prospective observational cohort study

IntroductionMyocardial injury is frequently unrecognized in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a surrogate of myocardial injury, has been shown to correlate with outcome in selected groups of patients. We wanted to determine if cTnI level measured upon admission is an independent predictor of mortality in a heterogeneous group of critically ill medical patients.MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational cohort study; 128 consecutive patients admitted to a medical ICU at a tertiary university hospital were enrolled. cTnI levels were measured within 6 h of admission and were considered positive (>0.7 ng/ml) or negative. A variety of clinical and laboratory variables were recorded.ResultsBoth cTnI positive and negative groups were similar in terms of age, sex and pre-admission co-morbidity. In a univariate analysis, positive cTnI was associated with increased mortality (OR 7.0, 95% CI 2.44–20.5, p < 0.001), higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores and a higher rate of multi-organ failure and sepsis. This association between cTnI and mortality was more pronounced among elderly patients (>65 years of age). Multivariate analysis controlling for APACHE II score revealed that elevated cTnI levels are not independently associated with 28-day mortality.ConclusionIn critically ill medical patients, elevated cTnI level measured upon admission is associated with increased mortality rate. cTnI does not independently contribute to the prediction of 28-day mortality beyond that provided by APACHE II.

Plasma Level of N Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide as a Prognostic Marker in Critically Ill Patients

We studied whether N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) measured at intensive care unit admission is an independent predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study enrolling 78 patients with APACHE II scores more than 12. Serum NT-pro BNP and cardiac troponin T were measured at admission, and echocardiography was performed within 24 h. The primary end-point was 30-day mortality. The median NT-pro BNP levels of the 22 (28.2%) patients who died were significantly more frequent than that of those who survived (8328 versus 1016 pg/mL; P = 0.001). Patients with NT-pro BNP levels more than 1900 pg/mL had significantly more frequent mortality (47.2% versus 11.9%; P = 0.03). This group also had more frequent moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction (30.6% versus 9.5%; P = 0.02) and abnormal cardiac troponin T levels (33.3% versus 14.3%; P = 0.05). Multivariate analyses adjusted for APACHE-II revealed that a NT-pro BNP level more than 1900 pg/mL is an independent predictor of mortality.

Exertional heatstroke: clinical characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.

BACKGROUND Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a life threatening disease characteristically affecting young adults involved in strenuous physical activity. Delay in diagnosis and management may adversely affect outcome. The aim of this study was to summarize our experience with this syndrome and to identify factors associated with poor outcome. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study we enrolled thirty two patients who met the case definition of exertional heat stroke. RESULTS Of the 32 patients, 27 (84%) were male and their median age was 19 years. 26 patients were residents of the northern parts of the country spending less than 10 days in the area. Only 10 patients (31%) were correctly diagnosed and treated in the prehospital setting. Those in whom treatment was delayed had higher rates of multi-organ failure and longer hospitalizations. In 7 patients protracted systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) was observed. Of the 14 patients that had moderate to severe disease requiring ICU admission, eight (25%) were mechanically ventilated, two (6.3%) were dead on arrival. The other half of the cohort had a mild disease managed by the general wards. CONCLUSIONS Exertional heat stroke is a life threatening disease. Early diagnosis and appropriate management may improve outcome. Protracted SIRS may complicate the course of EHS.

Comparison of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Patients With Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background:Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) occurs most often in patients with type 1 diabetes, however patients with type 2 diabetes are also susceptible to DKA under stressful conditions. The aims of our study were to evaluate and compare the clinical and biochemical characteristics and outcomes of type 1 versus type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with DKA. Methods:A retrospective cohort study of adult patients hospitalized with DKA between January 1, 2003, and January 1, 2010. The clinical and biochemical characteristics of DKA patients with type-1 DM were compared with those of patients with type-2 DM. The primary outcome was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Results:The study cohort included 201 consecutive patients for whom the admission diagnosis was DKA: 166 patients (82.6%) with type-1 DM and 35 patients (17.4%) with type-2 DM. The patients with DKA and type-2 DM were significantly older than patients with type-1 DM (64.3 versus 37.3, P < 0.001). Significantly more patients with severe forms of DKA were seen in the group with type-2 DM (25.7% versus 9.0%, P = 0.018). The total in-hospital mortality rate of patients with DKA was 4.5%. The primary outcome was significantly worse in the group of patients with type-2 DM. Conclusions:DKA in patients with type-2 DM is a more severe disease with worse outcomes compared with type-1 DM. Advanced age, mechanical ventilation and bed-ridden state were independent predictors of 30-day mortality.

New approaches to the use of insulin in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the most common and serious acute complications of diabetes and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In the last decade the mortality rate from DKA has declined because of greater recognition and improvements in its management. The current available guidelines state that the most effective means of insulin delivery during DKA is a continuous infusion of regular insulin, usually referred to as continuous low-dose insulin infusion. However, the cost of this treatment is usually quite high, because patients are required to be admitted to an intensive care unit in order to be monitored closely. New analogs of human insulin that have a rapid onset of action have become available in the past decade and represent potential alternatives to the use of regular insulin in the treatment of DKA. In several trials it has been demonstrated that the use of subcutaneous rapid-acting insulin analogs represents a safe, cost-effective and technically simpler treatment that precludes intensive care unit admission without significant differences in outcome in the management of patients with mild to moderate, uncomplicated DKA. The long-acting insulin analog may have a role in facilitating the transition from continuous intravenous insulin infusion to subcutaneous maintenance therapy in patients with DKA. This avoids rebound hyperglycaemia and ketogenesis when intravenous insulin is stopped and may avoid excess length of stay.

Gender-related differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.

BACKGROUND Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is 1 of the most common and serious complications of diabetes, and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of data regarding gender-related differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized for DKA. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess whether gender plays a role in clinical characteristics and outcome of DKA. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with DKA between January 1, 2003 and January 1, 2010. The outcomes of male and female patients were compared. The primary outcome was in-hospital all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were 30-day all-cause mortality and rate of complications: sepsis, respiratory failure, multiple organ failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction. RESULTS Eighty-nine men and 131 women with DKA were included in the study. Male patients had higher rates of chronic renal failure compared with women (16.9% vs 3.1%; P = 0.001), whereas more women than men received oral hypoglycemic therapy (19.8% vs 9.0%; P = 0.046); women also had higher glycosated hemoglobin levels before admission (11.9% [1.7%] vs 9.9% [2.2%]; P = 0.025). The in-hospital mortality rate was not significantly different for both genders (4.5% in the male group vs 3.8% in the female group; P = 1.0). We did not find significant differences between the 2 groups in the 30-day mortality rate (4.5% vs 6.1%; P = 0.7) or the rate of complications (5.6% vs 6.9%; P = 0.9). Advanced age, mechanical ventilation, and bedridden state were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS In our study we did not find statistically significant differences in the in-hospital mortality, 30-day all-cause mortality, or rate of complications between men and women hospitalized with DKA. However, women with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving oral hypoglycemic therapy required particular attention and might benefit from earlier introduction and intensification of insulin therapy to avoid DKA.

The role of icatibant—the B2 bradykinin receptor antagonist—in life-threatening laryngeal angioedema in the ED

Angioedema is a localized, sudden, transient, and often recurrent swelling of the deeper layers of the skin or mucosa with no epidermal component. It is caused by vasoactive substances that produce a transient increase in endothelial permeability. Angioedema involving the laryngeal components is a life-threatening situation for the patient,and it is a challenge for the emergency medicine physician to rapidly achieve a safety airway. Most cases of laryngeal angioedema are induced by histamine release; but 10% are bradykinin induced, which does not respond to the conventional algorithm of treating allergic induced angioedema. We present a case report of an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor–induced laryngeal angioedema alleviated only after treatment with the new bradykinin receptor inhibitor medication icatibant which was licensed only for use in hereditary angioedema. We reviewed the literature for the use of icatibant in acquired drug-induced angioedema; and because of the similar pathogenesis between the hereditary angioedema and the ACE inhibitor–induced angioedema,we propose an algorithm for careful use of icatibantin life-threatening angioedema in the emergency department.

Thromboembolic events in patients with severe pandemic influenza A/H1N1.

BACKGROUND The 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 developed as a novel swine influenza which caused more diseases among younger age groups than in the elderly. Severe hypoxemic respiratory failure from A/H1N1 pneumonia resulted in an increased need for ICU beds. Several risk groups were identified that were at a higher risk for adverse outcomes. Pregnant women were a particularly vulnerable group of patients The CDC reported on the first ten patients with severe illness and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure associated with A/H1N1 infection, none of whom were pregnant, but they noticed that half of the patients had a pulmonary embolism. METHODS During a four-month period from September to December 2009, 252 patients were admitted to our hospital with confirmed pandemic influenza H1N1 by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test (rRT-PCR). We cared for twenty patients (7.9%) admitted to MICU with severe A/H1N1. Results on Thrombotic events were identified in five (25%) of our critically ill patients. CONCLUSIONS We recommend that patients with severe influenza A/H1N1 pneumonitis and respiratory failure be administered DVT prophylaxis in particular if there are additional risk factors for TVE. Further prospective studies on the relationship of influenza A/H1N1 and VTE are needed.

Treating the elderly diabetic patient: special considerations

The prevalence of diabetes is rising in the >65 year-old group. The challenge of defining the goals of therapy arises from the heterogeneity of the aging process and the sparse clinical data in this patient population. In light of these challenges, the clinician should be aware of the pitfalls of caring for the older diabetic patient and prioritize an individualized treatment plan to ensure an optimal glycemic control, without placing the patient at unnecessary risk. We present a review of the current guidelines and literature that deal specifically with the treatment of the older diabetic patient in order to establish the principles of treatment in this age group and help the clinician make decisions regarding the care of these patients.