Loreto Vidaur

Intensive care adult patients with severe respiratory failure caused by Influenza A (H1N1)v in Spain

IntroductionPatients with influenza A (H1N1)v infection have developed rapidly progressive lower respiratory tract disease resulting in respiratory failure. We describe the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the first 32 persons reported to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to influenza A (H1N1)v infection in Spain.MethodsWe used medical chart reviews to collect data on ICU adult patients reported in a standardized form. Influenza A (H1N1)v infection was confirmed in specimens using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT PCR) assay.ResultsIllness onset of the 32 patients occurred between 23 June and 31 July, 2009. The median age was 36 years (IQR = 31 - 52). Ten (31.2%) were obese, 2 (6.3%) pregnant and 16 (50%) had pre-existing medical complications. Twenty-nine (90.6%) had primary viral pneumonitis, 2 (6.3%) exacerbation of structural respiratory disease and 1 (3.1%) secondary bacterial pneumonia. Twenty-four patients (75.0%) developed multiorgan dysfunction, 7 (21.9%) received renal replacement techniques and 24 (75.0%) required mechanical ventilation. Six patients died within 28 days, with two additional late deaths. Oseltamivir administration delay ranged from 2 to 8 days after illness onset, 31.2% received high-dose (300 mg/day), and treatment duration ranged from 5 to 10 days (mean 8.0 ± 3.3).ConclusionsOver a 5-week period, influenza A (H1N1)v infection led to ICU admission in 32 adult patients, with frequently observed severe hypoxemia and a relatively high case-fatality rate. Clinicians should be aware of pulmonary complications of influenza A (H1N1)v infection, particularly in pregnant and young obese but previously healthy persons.

De-escalation therapy in ventilator-associated pneumonia*

Objective:To evaluate de-escalation of antibiotic therapy in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Design:Prospective observational study during a 43-month period. Setting:Medical-surgical intensive care unit. Patients:One hundred and fifteen patients admitted to the intensive care unit with clinical diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia. All the episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia received initial broad-spectrum coverage followed by reevaluation according to clinical response and microbiology. Quantitative cultures obtained by bronchoscopic examination or tracheal aspirates were used to modify therapy. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:One hundred and twenty-one episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia were diagnosed. Change of therapy was documented in 56.2%, including de-escalation (the most frequent cause) in 31.4% (increasing to 38% if isolates were sensitive). Overall intensive care unit mortality rate was 32.2%. Inappropriate antibiotic therapy was identified in 9% of cases and was associated with 14.4% excess intensive care unit mortality. Quantitative tracheal aspirates and bronchoscopic samples (58 protected specimen brush and three bronchoalveolar lavage) were associated with 32.7% and 29.5% intensive care unit mortality and 29.3% and 34.4% de-escalation rate. De-escalation was lower (p < .05) in the presence of nonfermenting Gram-negative bacillus (2.7% vs. 49.3%) and in the presence of late-onset pneumonia (12.5% vs. 40.7%). When the pathogen remained unknown, half of the patients died and de-escalation was not performed. Conclusion:De-escalation was the most important cause of antibiotic modification, being more feasible in early-onset pneumonia and less frequent in the presence of nonfermenting Gram-negative bacillus. The impact of quantitative tracheal aspirates or bronchoscopic techniques was comparable in terms of mortality.

Tracheal colonisation within 24 h of intubation in patients with head trauma: risk factor for developing early-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia

Abstract Objective: To investigate if tracheal colonisation within 24 h of intubation is a risk factor for developing early-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia (EP) in patients with head trauma. Design: A prospective study in an intensive care unit of a university hospital. Population: One hundred intubated patients were included with head trauma and Glasgow coma score at admission <12. Methods: We took tracheal aspirate samples within 24 h of intubationand performed a protected bronchoalveolar mini-lavage when clinical diagnosis of pneumonia was made. Measurements and results: On admission time 68 patients (68%) were colonised in trachea, 22 patients were colonised by Staphylococcus aureus, 20 by Haemophilus influenzae, six by Streptococcus pneumoniae and 20 by gram-negative bacilli. The incidence of EP was 26%, and the microorganisms involved were Staph. aureus (44%), H. influenzae (31%), Strep. pneumoniae (12%), and gram-negative bacilli (13%). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the tracheal colonization by Staph. aureus, H. influenzae or Strep. pneumoniae within 24 h of intubation was an independent risk factor for developing EP (odds ratio: 28.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.59–52.5). Conclusion: Colonisation of the trachea within 24 h of intubation by Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae is a risk factor for developing EP in patients with head trauma.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: Impact of Organisms on Clinical Resolution and Medical Resources Utilization

BACKGROUND Clinical resolution of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) determines the duration of treatment and mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of organisms and their susceptibility to treatment on outcomes. METHODS Prospective observational study in three teaching ICUs. Sixty episodes of VAP with appropriate therapy (Haemophilus influenzae, 15 episodes; methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus [MSSA], 15 episodes; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 15 episodes; and methicillin-resistant S aureus [MRSA], 15 episodes), and 30 episodes with initial inappropriate therapy, all due to P aeruginosa, were compared. The main outcome measures were clinical resolution variables and, in survivors, length of mechanical ventilation after VAP onset. RESULTS A significant delay in the resolution of hypoxemia was observed in VAP episodes due to MRSA and P aeruginosa with inappropriate antibiotic therapy (IAT) (median time to resolution, 10 and 8 days, respectively) when compared with the remaining pathogens (median time to resolution, 2 days). A multiple regression model, adjusted for disease severity, confirmed the delayed clinical resolution for MRSA and P aeruginosa with IAT. Similar associations were documented for defervescence. Among survivors, the median duration of mechanical ventilation after VAP onset was significantly longer for MRSA (17 days) and P aeruginosa IAT (11 days) when compared with episodes due to H influenzae or MSSA (6 days). Multiple regression analysis, adjusted for disease severity, confirmed that MRSA required significantly (R(2) = 0.132; p < 0.01) longer respiratory support than other organisms. CONCLUSIONS When treated promptly, the resolution of VAP due to MSSA, H influenzae, and P aeruginosa was comparable. The resolution of MRSA VAP, regardless of the appropriateness of initial antibiotic therapy, was associated with longer respiratory support.

Pandemic and post-pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) infection in critically ill patients

BackgroundThere is a vast amount of information published regarding the impact of 2009 pandemic Influenza A (pH1N1) virus infection. However, a comparison of risk factors and outcome during the 2010-2011 post-pandemic period has not been described.MethodsA prospective, observational, multi-center study was carried out to evaluate the clinical characteristics and demographics of patients with positive RT-PCR for H1N1 admitted to 148 Spanish intensive care units (ICUs). Data were obtained from the 2009 pandemic and compared to the 2010-2011 post-pandemic period.ResultsNine hundred and ninety-seven patients with confirmed An/H1N1 infection were included. Six hundred and forty-eight patients affected by 2009 (pH1N1) virus infection and 349 patients affected by the post-pandemic Influenza (H1N1)v infection period were analyzed. Patients during the post-pandemic period were older, had more chronic comorbid conditions and presented with higher severity scores (Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)) on ICU admission. Patients from the post-pandemic Influenza (H1N1)v infection period received empiric antiviral treatment less frequently and with delayed administration. Mortality was significantly higher in the post-pandemic period. Multivariate analysis confirmed that haematological disease, invasive mechanical ventilation and continuous renal replacement therapy were factors independently associated with worse outcome in the two periods. HIV was the only new variable independently associated with higher ICU mortality during the post-pandemic Influenza (H1N1)v infection period.ConclusionPatients from the post-pandemic Influenza (H1N1)v infection period had an unexpectedly higher mortality rate and showed a trend towards affecting a more vulnerable population, in keeping with more typical seasonal viral infection.

Decrease in Mortality in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumococcal Pneumonia: Impact of Improving Antibiotic Strategies (2000-2013)

OBJECTIVE The objective of the present study was to compare antibiotic prescribing practices and survival in the ICU for patients with pneumococcal severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) between 2000 and 2013. METHODS This was a matched case-control study of two prospectively recorded cohorts in Europe. Eighty patients from the Community-Acquired Pneumonia en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (CAPUCI) II study (case group) were matched with 80 patients from CAPUCI I (control group) based on the following: shock at admission, need of mechanical ventilation, COPD, immunosuppression, and age. RESULTS Demographic data were comparable in the two groups. Combined antibiotic therapy increased from 66.2% to 87.5% (P < .01), and the percentage of patients receiving the first dose of antibiotic within 3 h increased from 27.5% to 70.0% (P < .01). ICU mortality was significantly lower (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68-0.98) in cases, both in the whole population and in the subgroups of patients with shock (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50-0.89) or receiving mechanical ventilation (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.55-0.96). In the multivariate analysis, ICU mortality increased in patients requiring mechanical ventilation (OR, 5.23; 95% CI, 1.60-17.17) and decreased in patients receiving early antibiotic treatment (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.15-0.87) and combined therapy (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07-0.51). CONCLUSIONS In pneumococcal SCAP, early antibiotic prescription and use of combination therapy increased. Both were associated with improved survival.

Risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in presence of recent antibiotic exposure.

Background: To facilitate the decision-making process for therapy and prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients undergoing recent antibiotic exposure, this study investigated whether the development of VAP episodes caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or other pathogens are related to different risk factors, thereby distinguishing two risk population for this serious complication. Methods: A 5-year retrospective case–control observational study was conducted. Cases of VAP caused by P. aeruginosa were compared with those caused by other pathogens. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using SPSS 11.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Results: Two groups were identified: P. aeruginosa (group P) was isolated in 58 (63.7%) episodes, and 33 episodes served as controls (group C), after a median of 12 days (interquartile range, 4–28 days) and 9 days (interquartile range, 3–12.5 days) of mechanical ventilation, respectively. P. aeruginosa was identified in 34.7% of episodes with early-onset pneumonia and in 73.5% with late-onset pneumonia. In a logistic regression analysis, P. aeruginosa was independently associated with duration of stay of 5 days or longer (relative risk = 3.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–12.35) and absence of coma (relative risk = 8.36; 95% confidence interval, 2.68–26.09). Risk for pathogens different from P. aeruginosa (group C) in early-onset pneumonia associated with coma was estimated to be 87.5%. Conclusions: Risk factors in episodes under recent antibiotic treatment caused by P. aeruginosa or other microorganism are not the same, a fact that could have implications for preventive and therapeutic approaches for this infection.

Improvement of antibiotic therapy and ICU survival in severe non-pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia: a matched case-control study

IntroductionWe aimed to compare intensive care unit mortality due to non-pneumococcal severe community-acquired pneumonia between the periods 2000–2002 and 2008–2014, and the impact of the improvement in antibiotic strategies on outcomes.MethodsThis was a matched case–control study enrolling 144 patients with non-pneumococcal severe pneumonia: 72 patients from the 2000–2002 database (CAPUCI I group) were paired with 72 from the 2008–2014 period (CAPUCI II group), matched by the following variables: microorganism, shock at admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, immunocompromise, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and age over 65 years.ResultsThe most frequent microorganism was methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (22.1 %) followed by Legionella pneumophila and Haemophilus influenzae (each 20.7 %); prevalence of shock was 59.7 %, while 73.6 % of patients needed invasive mechanical ventilation. Intensive care unit mortality was significantly lower in the CAPUCI II group (34.7 % versus 16.7 %; odds ratio (OR) 0.78, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.64–0.95; p = 0.02). Appropriate therapy according to microorganism was 91.5 % in CAPUCI I and 92.7 % in CAPUCI II, while combined therapy and early antibiotic treatment were significantly higher in CAPUCI II (76.4 versus 90.3 % and 37.5 versus 63.9 %; p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, combined antibiotic therapy (OR 0.23, 95 % CI 0.07–0.74) and early antibiotic treatment (OR 0.07, 95 % CI 0.02–0.22) were independently associated with decreased intensive care unit mortality.ConclusionsIn non-pneumococcal severe community-acquired pneumonia , early antibiotic administration and use of combined antibiotic therapy were both associated with increased intensive care unit survival during the study period.

Enfoque clínico del paciente con neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica

La neumonia asociada a la ventilacion mecanica (NAVM) es la infeccion mas frecuente en las unidades de cuidados intensivos. Su importancia no solo radica en su elevada incidencia sino tambien en su elevada mortalidad. Por ello, debemos establecer la sospecha clinica con la aparicion de infiltrados radiologicos nuevos o persistentes acompanados de secreciones purulentas y signos clinicos de sepsis (fiebre y/o leucocitosis). En estos pacientes, debemos obtener, de manera precoz, un aspirado endotraqueal con un examen directo y un cultivo cuantitativo, como minimo. Posteriormente comenzaremos con un tratamiento antibiotico empirico de amplio espectro, teniendo en cuenta una serie de factores de riesgo en cada paciente, especialmente para NAVM por Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina, debido a la mortalidad asociada. Para valorar la resolucion de la NAVM analizaremos una serie de parametros clinicos (principalmente resolucion de la fiebre y la hipoxemia) y microbiologicos. Con los resultados de los cultivos modificaremos el tratamiento antibiotico buscando el desescalamiento para evitar el desarrollo de resistencias. Ademas, estudios recientes reflejan que acortando la duracion del tratamiento antibiotico no solo disminuimos el riesgo de desarrollo de resistencias en pacientes que mejoran clinicamente sino que ademas disminuimos costes y efectos adversos.

Clinical characteristics, evolution, and treatment-related risk factors for mortality among immunosuppressed patients with influenza A (H1N1) virus admitted to the intensive care unit

Purpose: Information about immunocompromised patients infected with influenza A (H1N1) virus and requiring admission to the ICU is lacking. Our objective was to know the clinical characteristics of these patients and to identify treatment‐related variables associated with mortality. Material and methods: A prospective multicenter observational cohort study was based on data from a Spanish registry (2009–2015) collected by 148 Spanish ICUs. All patients admitted to the ICU with the diagnosis of influenza A (H1N1) virus infection were included. Immunosuppression was clearly defined. Factors associated with mortality in immunocompromised patients were assessed by conventional logistic regression analysis and by a propensity score (PS) adjusted‐multivariable analysis. Results: Of 1899 patients with influenza A (H1N1) infection, 238 (12.5%) were classified as immunocompromised. Mortality was significantly higher in immunosuppressed patients. Four variables independently associated with mortality were identified: SOFA score, need of vasopressor, use of corticosteroids, and acute renal failure, AKIN 3 stage. In the PS‐adjusted model, corticosteroid therapy remained as an independent factor associated with increased mortality (OR 2.25;95%CI, 1.15–4.38;p = 0.017). In the subgroup of hematological patients (n = 141), corticosteroid therapy was also associated with increased mortality (OR 3.12; 95%CI, 1.32–7.41; p = 0.010). Conclusion: Immunocompromised individuals with influenza A (H1N1) admitted to the ICU have a poor outcome. In this population, the use of corticosteroids is strongly discouraged.