Maria Deja

Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Objective:Critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy (CIP/CIM) is frequently described in critically ill patients who survive severe sepsis. Clinically relevant paresis is major symptom of CIP/CIM. We aimed at determining risk factors and diagnostic value of electrophysiologic testing for CIP/CIM in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Design:Single-center, retrospective analysis, using charts. Setting:University medical center. Patients:Fifty consecutive ARDS patients in our intensive care unit. Interventions:Patient characteristics and clinical course were analyzed. All patients received early electrophysiologic testing. CIP/CIM was diagnosed by the presence of clinical relevant paresis. Measurements and Main Results:Clinically relevant paresis was confirmed in 27 ARDS patients (60%), whereas in 18 patients no paresis was determined (controls); five patients died before clinical assessment of paresis was feasible. Patients with paresis were older, had more days on mechanical ventilation, and had increased intensive care unit length of stay compared with controls. Patients who developed paresis had elevated daily peak blood glucose levels during 28 days of intensive care unit treatment: 166 (134, 200) mg/dL in CIP/CIM patients vs. 144 (132, 161) mg/dL in controls (median, quartiles). Twenty-five of 27 patients with paresis revealed reduced motor unit potentials, fibrillation potentials, or positive sharp waves on early electrophysiologic testing indicating CIP/CIM, whereas 16 of 18 control patients did not. Conclusions:In ARDS patients, paresis is a frequent complication causing prolonged mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit length of stay. An association between hyperglycemia and CIP/CIM has been found. However, since this is a retrospective survey, a causal relation is not clearly supported. In this study, the use of early electrophysiologic testing in ARDS patients was a valuable diagnostic tool for detecting CIP/CIM.

Antibiotic consumption and resistance: Data from Europe and Germany

The use of antibiotics - including the over- and misuse - in human and veterinary practices selected for resistant pathogens and led to their emergence and dissemination along with the transmission of resistant bacteria. The aim of this article is to prescribe the prerequisites for the surveillance of antibiotic use and bacterial resistance, to explain advantage and disadvantage of surveillance parameters used, to present new data from a surveillance network of intensive care units focusing on antibiotic use and resistance and to discuss the impact of antibiotic use on resistance. The Surveillance System of Antibiotic Use and Bacterial Resistance in Intensive Care Units (SARI) is an on-going project that collects data from its network of intensive care units (ICU) in Germany. Antimicrobial use was expressed as daily defined doses (DDD) and normalized per 1000 patient-days (pd). ICU decided either to provide monthly data on antibiotic and resistant pathogens or they decided to provide only yearly data on antibiotic use without resistance data. 85% of all antibiotics used in Germany are administered in animals; 85% of the antibiotics used in humans are prescribed in the outpatient setting and 85% of the antibiotics used in hospitals are prescribed on non-ICUs wards. The mostly widely used parameter for the surveillance of resistance is the percentage of resistant pathogens which is important to guide empirical therapy but does not measure the burden of resistance which is of interest to the public health perspective. The burden of MRSA did not increase over the last 11 years in ICUs and was 4.2MRSA/1000pd in 2011. The burden of 3rd generation resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae more than quintupled (up to 2.6 and 1.2 respectively) and was followed by a three times increased use of carbapenems and correlated with quinolone and 3rd generation cephalosporin use. The burden VRE faecium also increased dramatically from 0.1 to 0.8 within 11 years; VRE faecium showed no significant correlation to vancomycin use (p=0.190) although glycopeptide use increased lately. Antibiotic use in animals and humans correlates with the risk of resistant microorganisms in a multifactor and complex way; it is of upmost importance that surveillance and interventions focus on all sectors: animal use and in- and outpatient setting in humans.

Critical illness myopathy is frequent: accompanying neuropathy protracts ICU discharge

Objectives Neuromuscular dysfunction in critically ill patients is attributed to either critical illness myopathy (CIM) or critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) or a combination of both. However, it is unknown whether differential diagnosis has an impact on prognosis. This study investigates whether there is an association between the early differentiation of CIM versus CIP and clinical prognosis. Methods The authors included mechanically ventilated patients who featured a Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS-II) ≥20 on three consecutive days within the first week after intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Fifty-three critically ill patients were enrolled and examined by conventional nerve-conduction studies and direct muscle stimulation (184 examinations in total). The first examination was conducted within the first week after admission to the ICU. Results In this cohort of critically ill patients, CIM was more frequent (68%) than CIP (38%). Electrophysiological signs of CIM preceded electrophysiological signs of CIP (median at day 7 in CIM patients vs day 10 in CIP patients, p<0.001). Most patients with CIP featured concomitant CIM. At discharge from ICU, 25% of patients with isolated CIM showed electrophysiological signs of recovery and significantly lower degrees of weakness. Recovery could not be observed in patients with combined CIM/CIP, even though the ICU length of stay was significantly longer (mean 35 days in CIM/CIP vs mean 19 days in CIM, p<0.001). Conclusion Prognoses of patients differ depending on electrophysiological findings during early critical illness: early electrophysiological differentiation of ICU acquired neuromuscular disorder enhances the evaluation of clinical prognosis during critical illness.

Nonexcitable muscle membrane predicts intensive care unit-acquired paresis in mechanically ventilated, sedated patients.

Objectives:To investigate the predictive value of electrophysiological measurements including validation of muscle membrane excitability on the development of intensive care unit (ICU)-aquired paresis. Design:Prospective observational study. Setting:University ICU. Patients:Surgical ICU patients selected upon a simplified acute physiology score ≥20 on three successive days within 1 wk after ICU admission. Interventions:We performed serial electrophysiological measurements with onset of critical illness including conventional electrophysiological parameters and compound muscle action potentials after direct muscle stimulation (dmCMAP). Patients’ awareness and muscle strength were measured sequentially by Ramsay sedation scale and an additional questionnaire and by Medical Research Council score, respectively. Measurements and Main Results:Among 56 sedated patients 34 patients revealed reduced dmCMAP values <3 mV indicating a myopathic process within 7.5 (5 of 11) days after admission to the ICU. Abnormal dmCMAP anticipated ICU-acquired paresis upon emergence from sedation with a sensitivity and specificity of 83.3% and 88.8%, respectively (positive predictive value of 0.91). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that validating dmCMAP during early course of critical illness had significant diagnostic utility to anticipate ICU-acquired paresis (p = .004; odds ratio = .47; 95% confidence interval = .28–.79). Conclusions:Abnormal dmCMAP occurred within the first week after admission to the ICU and pointed towards a myopathic process as the primary cause of ICU-acquired paresis. Validation of dmCMAP with onset of critical illness allows an early prediction of ICU-acquired paresis and adds important information to clinical estimation of the patients’ motor function.

Risk factors in critical illness myopathy during the early course of critical illness: a prospective observational study

IntroductionNon-excitable muscle membrane indicates critical illness myopathy (CIM) during early critical illness. We investigated predisposing risk factors for non-excitable muscle membrane at onset of critical illness.MethodsWe performed sequential measurements of muscle membrane excitability after direct muscle stimulation (dmCMAP) in 40 intensive care unit (ICU) patients selected upon a simplified acute physiology (SAPS-II) score ≥ 20 on 3 successive days within 1 week after ICU admission. We then investigated predisposing risk factors, including the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-system, inflammatory, metabolic and hemodynamic parameters, as well as suspected medical treatment prior to first occurrence of abnormal dmCMAP. Nonparametric analysis of two-factorial longitudinal data and multivariate analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results22 patients showed abnormal muscle membrane excitability during direct muscle stimulation within 7 (5 to 9.25) days after ICU admission. Significant risk factors for the development of impaired muscle membrane excitability in univariate analysis included inflammation, disease severity, catecholamine and sedation requirements, as well as IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-I), but did not include either adjunctive hydrocortisone treatment in septic shock, nor administration of neuromuscular blocking agents or aminoglycosides. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, interleukin-6 remained the significant risk factor for the development of impaired muscle membrane excitability (HR 1.006, 95%-CI (1.002 to 1.011), P = 0.002).ConclusionsSystemic inflammation during early critical illness was found to be the main risk factor for development of CIM during early critical illness. Inflammation-induced impairment of growth-factor mediated insulin sensitivity may be involved in the development of CIM.

Impact of adherence to standard operating procedures for pneumonia on outcome of intensive care unit patients.

Background:Pneumonia accounts for almost half of intensive care unit (ICU) infections and nearly 60% of deaths from nosocomial infections. It increases hospital stay by 7–9 days, crude mortality by 70% and attributable mortality by 30%. Objective:Our purpose was to assess the impact of standard operating procedures adapted to the local resistance rates in the initial empirical treatment for pneumonia on duration of first pneumonia episode, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU stay. Design:Prospective observational cohort study with retrospective expert audit. Setting:Five anesthesiologically managed ICUs at University hospital (one cardio-surgical, one neurosurgical, two interdisciplinary, and one intermediate care). Patients:Of 524 consecutive patients with ≥36 hr ICU treatment 131 patients with pneumonia on ICU were identified. Their first pneumonia episode was evaluated daily for adherence to standard operating procedures. Pneumonia was diagnosed according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines. Patients with >70% compliance were assigned to high adherence group (HAG), patients with ≤70% to low adherence group (LAG). Measurements and Results:HAG consisted of 45 (49 first episode) patients, LAG of 86 (82 first episode) patients, respectively. Mean duration of treatment of the first pneumonia episode was 10.11 ± 7.95 days in the LAG and 6.22 ± 3.27 days in the HAG (p = 0.001). Duration of mechanical ventilation was 317.59 ± 336.18 hrs in the LAG and 178.07 ± 191.33 hrs in the HAG (p = 0.017). Length of ICU stay was 20.24 ± 16.59 days in the LAG and 12.04 ± 10.42 days in the HAG (p = 0.001). Limitations:Barriers in compliance need further evaluation. Conclusion:Adherence to standard operating procedure is associated with a shorter duration of treatment of first pneumonia episode, a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, and a shorter ICU stay.

Determinants of prescription and choice of empirical therapy for hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia

The objectives of this study were to assess the determinants of empirical antibiotic choice, prescription patterns and outcomes in patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)/ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in Europe. We performed a prospective, observational cohort study in 27 intensive care units (ICUs) from nine European countries. 100 consecutive patients on mechanical ventilation for HAP, on mechanical ventilation >48 h or with VAP were enrolled per ICU. Admission category, sickness severity and Acinetobacter spp. prevalence >10% in pneumonia episodes determined antibiotic empirical choice. Trauma patients were more often prescribed non-anti-Pseudomonas cephalosporins (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.50–4.78). Surgical patients received less aminoglycosides (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.14–0.49). A significant correlation (p<0.01) was found between Simplified Acute Physiology Score II score and carbapenem prescription. Basal Acinetobacter spp. prevalence >10% dramatically increased the prescription of carbapenems (OR 3.5, 95% CI 2.0–6.1) and colistin (OR 115.7, 95% CI 6.9–1,930.9). Appropriate empirical antibiotics decreased ICU length of stay by 6 days (26.3±19.8 days versus 32.8±29.4 days; p = 0.04). The antibiotics that were prescribed most were carbapenems, piperacillin/tazobactam and quinolones. Median (interquartile range) duration of antibiotic therapy was 9 (6–12) days. Anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus agents were prescribed in 38.4% of VAP episodes. Admission category, sickness severity and basal Acinetobacter prevalence >10% in pneumonia episodes were the major determinants of antibiotic choice at the bedside. Across Europe, carbapenems were the antibiotic most prescribed for HAP/VAP.

Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in Trauma Patients Is Associated With Lower Mortality: Results From Eu-vap Study

BACKGROUND Differences in trauma patients developing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are described regarding etiology and risk factors associated. We aim to describe the differences in outcomes in trauma and nontrauma patients with VAP. METHODS A prospective, observational study conducted in 27 intensive care units from nine European countries. We included patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for >48 hours who developed VAP. Logistic regression model was used to assess the factors independently associated with mortality in trauma patients with VAP. RESULTS A total of 2,436 patients were evaluated; 465 developed VAP and of these 128 (27.5%) were trauma patients. Trauma patients were younger than nontrauma (45.3 ± 19.4 vs. 61.1 ± 16.7, p < 0.0001). Nontrauma had higher simplified acute physiology score II compared with trauma patients (45.5 ± 16.3 vs. 41.1 ± 15.2, p = 0.009). Most prevalent pathogens in trauma patients with early VAP were Enterobacteriaceae spp. (46.9% vs. 27.8%, p = 0.06) followed by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (30.6% vs. 13%, p = 0.03) and then Haemophilus influenzae (14.3% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.02), and the most prevalent pathogen in late VAP was Acinetobacter baumannii (12.2% vs. 44.4%, p < 0.0001). Mortality was higher in nontrauma patients than in trauma patients (42.6% vs. 17.2%, p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 3.55, 95%CI = 2.14-5.88). A logistic regression model adjusted for sex, age, severity of illness at intensive care unit admission, and sepsis-related organ failure assessment score at the day of VAP diagnosis confirmed that trauma was associated with a lower mortality compared with nontrauma patients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.37, 95%CI = 0.21-0.65). CONCLUSIONS Trauma patients developing VAP had different demographic characteristics and episodes of etiology. After adjustment for potential confounders, VAP episodes in trauma patients are associated with lower mortality when compared with nontrauma patients.

Evidence-based Therapy of Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: An Algorithm-guided Approach

Despite considerable research and constantly emerging treatment modalities, the mortality associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has remained virtually unchanged over the last decade. Clinical studies have been unable to show a reduction in mortality for most therapeutic interventions except for low tidal volume ventilation. Failure to prove a mortality benefit might be a result of the varying severity of ARDS in the patients studied. Nevertheless, positive responses to single supportive measures (inhaled nitric oxide, prone positioning and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) have been demonstrated in multiple trials. Criteria for administration, weaning and discontinuation of these supportive interventions have never been described in detail. In this context, implementation of an evidence-based algorithm might facilitate clinical management of severe ARDS. This review summarizes the current evidence base and proposes a new treatment algorithm that aims to prioritize the administration of advanced strategies in a multimodal approach for ARDS.

Selective pulmonary vasodilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by a marked maldistribution of pulmonary perfusion in favor of nonventilated, atelectatic areas of the lungs, and it is the main cause of pulmonary right-to-left shunting and hypoxemia. Therapeutic interventions to selectively influence pulmonary perfusion in ARDS became feasible with the introduction of inhaled nitric oxide, which provided a means not only to reduce pulmonary hypertension, but also to improve matching of ventilation to perfusion and, thus, hypoxemia. Clinical studies in ARDS subsequently demonstrated that the combination of inhaled nitric oxide with other interventions, such as positive end-expiratory pressure and prone positioning, yielded beneficial and additive effects on arterial oxygenation. Although the available randomized, controlled trials of this novel concept have so far failed to show an improved outcome in ARDS, inhaled nitric oxide is a clinically valuable option for the treatment of severe refractory hypoxemia in ARDS, and largely promoted the concept of selective pulmonary vasodilation in intensive care practice. Currently, aerosolization of various vasodilators, in particular prostaglandins, is under evaluation in models of acute lung injury and human ARDS. Ongoing research aims to augment the effectiveness of vasodilators with specific inhibitors of phosphodiesterases or by combination with intravenous vasoconstrictors. Consequently, several alternative ways to selectively modulate pulmonary vascular tone in patients with ARDS may be available in the near future. Cost-benefit analysis of these therapeutic options will largely determine their future perspective.