Markus B. Skrifvars

Serum Cystatin C in Elderly Cardiac Surgery Patients

BACKGROUND Elderly cardiac surgery patients are more prone to develop postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). The common clinical glomerular filtration marker, plasma creatinine, is considered to be inadequate to discover AKI in its early stage. The aim of this study was to determine if serum cystatin C can detect mild renal failure earlier than plasma creatinine. METHODS From 110 cardiac surgery patients aged 70 or greater years, serum cystatin C and plasma creatinine samples were collected preoperatively and on postoperative days 1 to 5. Their urine output, creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were calculated and AKI was determined by the risk-injury-failure-loss-end-stage kidney disease criteria (RIFLE). The correlation of plasma creatinine and serum cystatin C to AKI was calculated. RESULTS After cardiac surgery, 62 of the 110 patients (56.4%) developed AKI according to the RIFLE classification. In this group, both serum cystatin C and plasma creatinine peaked on postoperative day 3. Cystatin C and creatinine correlated equally with AKI at different time points calculated with receiver operating characteristic curves. On postoperative day 1 the area under the curve (AUC) for creatinine was 0.66 (0.55 to 0.76) and for cystatin C 0.71 (0.61 to 0.81); Delta AUC 0.05 (0.01 to 0.12), p = 0.11. On postoperative day 2 the AUC for creatinine was 0.74 (0.64 to 0.83) and for cystatin was C 0.77 (0.68 to 0.86); Delta AUC -0.03 (-0.09 to 0.03), p = 0.32. CONCLUSIONS Elderly cardiac surgery patients have a high incidence of AKI, as defined by the RIFLE criteria. After cardiac surgery serum cystatin C and plasma creatinine detected AKI similarly.

Survival and outcome prediction using the Apache III and the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) score in patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) following out-of-hospital, in-hospital or ICU cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND There are few data comparing outcome and the utility of severity of illness scoring systems following intensive care after out-of-hospital (OHCA), in-hospital (IHCA) and intensive care unit (ICUCA) cardiac arrest. We investigated survival, factors associated with survival and the correlation and accuracy of general and specific scoring systems, including the Apache III score and the OHCA score in OHCA, IHCA and ICUCA patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Prospective analysis of data on all cardiac arrest patients treated in a tertiary hospital between August 1st 2008 and July 30th 2010. Collected data included resuscitation and post-resuscitation care data as defined by the Utstein Guidelines, Apache III on admission and the OHCA score on admission in OHCA and IHCA patients and after the arrest in ICUCA patients. Statistical methods were used to identify factors associated with outcome and the predictive ability and correlation of the aforementioned scores. RESULTS Of a total of 3931 patients treated in the ICU, 51 were admitted following OHCA, 50 following IHCA and 22 suffered an ICUCA and had sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Survival at 30 days was highest among ICUCAs (67%) followed by IHCAs (38%) and OHCAs (29%). Using multivariate analysis delay ROSC was the only independent predictor of survival. The OHCA score performed with moderate accuracy for predicting 30-day mortality (area under the curve 0.77 [0.69-0.86] and was slightly better than the Apache III score 0.71 (0.61-0.80). Using multiple logistic regression the Apache III and the OHCA score were both independent predictors of hospital survival and correlation between these two scores was weak (correlation coefficient of 0.244). CONCLUSIONS Latency to ROSC seems to be the most important determinant of survival in patients following ICU care after a cardiac arrest in this single center trial. The OHCA score and the Apache III score offer moderate predictive accuracy in ICU cardiac arrest patients but correlated weakly with each other. Illness severity adjustment for cardiac arrest patients in ICU should include features of both these scoring systems.

Level of agreement on resuscitation decisions among hospital specialists and barriers to documenting do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) orders in ward patients

AIM This study assessed the level of agreement on CPR decisions among intensive care doctors and specialist physicians and surgeons, and the barriers to documenting do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) orders for ward patients during Medical Emergency Team (MET) calls. METHODS We prospectively assessed all patients having MET calls for 11 months. If the intensive care doctor on the MET considered a DNAR order appropriate for the patient, the primary care clinician was contacted to: (1) confirm agreement or disagreement with a DNAR order and (2) give reasons as to why a DNAR order was not considered or documented prior to the MET call. RESULTS In the study period, the MET attended 1458 patients. A DNAR order was considered appropriate in 129 cases. In 116 (90%), the primary care clinician agreed with a DNAR order at the time of the MET. Common reasons given by primary care clinicians for not documenting DNAR orders included acute or unexpected deterioration (22.5%), awaiting family discussion (22.5%), actively treating the patient for a reversible condition (17.1%), not knowing the patient well enough (10.9%) and resuscitation status not yet discussed by team (10.9%). CONCLUSIONS This study shows a high level of agreement on DNAR orders among intensive care doctors, physicians and surgeons for deteriorating ward patients. Barriers to timely documentation need to be addressed. Delay in documentation and communication of DNAR orders is common. The MET system provides an opportunity to identify patients for whom a DNAR order should be considered.

Hyperoxemia and long-term outcome after traumatic brain injury

IntroductionThe relationship between hyperoxemia and outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is controversial. We sought to investigate the independent relationship between hyperoxemia and long-term mortality in patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.MethodsThe Finnish Intensive Care Consortium database was screened for mechanically ventilated patients with a moderate-to-severe TBI. Patients were categorized, according to the highest measured alveolar-arterial O2 gradient or the lowest measured PaO2 value during the first 24 hours of ICU admission, to hypoxemia (<10.0 kPa), normoxemia (10.0 to 13.3 kPa) and hyperoxemia (>13.3 kPa). We adjusted for markers of illness severity to evaluate the independent relationship between hyperoxemia and 6-month mortality.ResultsA total of 1,116 patients were included in the study, of which 16% (n = 174) were hypoxemic, 51% (n = 567) normoxemic and 33% (n = 375) hyperoxemic. The total 6-month mortality was 39% (n = 435). A significant association between hyperoxemia and a decreased risk of mortality was found in univariate analysis (P = 0.012). However, after adjusting for markers of illness severity in a multivariate logistic regression model hyperoxemia showed no independent relationship with 6-month mortality (hyperoxemia vs. normoxemia OR 0.88, 95% CI 0. 63 to 1.22, P = 0.43; hyperoxemia vs. hypoxemia OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.50, P = 0.90).ConclusionHyperoxemia in the first 24 hours of ICU admission after a moderate-to-severe TBI is not predictive of 6-month mortality.

Factors correlating with delayed trauma center admission following traumatic brain injury

BackgroundDelayed admission to appropriate care has been shown increase mortality following traumatic brain injury (TBI). We investigated factors associated with delayed admission to a hospital with neurosurgical expertise in a cohort of TBI patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).MethodsA retrospective analysis of all TBI patients treated in the ICUs of Helsinki University Central Hospital was carried out from 1.1.2009 to 31.12.2010. Patients were categorized into two groups: direct admission and delayed admission. Patients in the delayed admission group were initially transported to a local hospital without neurosurgical expertise before inter-transfer to the designated hospital. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to identify pre-hospital factors associated with delayed admission.ResultsOf 431 included patients 65% of patients were in the direct admission groups and 35% in the delayed admission groups (median time to admission 1:07h, IQR 0:52–1:28 vs. 4:06h, IQR 2:53–5:43, p <0.001). In multivariate analysis factors increasing the likelihood of delayed admission were (OR, 95% CI): male gender (3.82, 1.60-9.13), incident at public place compared to home (0.26, 0.11-0.61), high energy trauma (0.05, 0.01-0.28), pre-hospital physician consultation (0.15, 0.06-0.39) or presence (0.08, 0.03-0.22), hypotension (0.09, 0.01-0.93), major extra cranial injury (0.17, 0.05-0.55), abnormal pupillary light reflex (0.26, 0.09-0.73) and severe alcohol intoxication (12.44, 2.14-72.38). A significant larger proportion of patients in the delayed admission group required acute craniotomy for mass lesion when admitted to the neurosurgical hospital (57%, 21%, p< 0.001). No significant difference in 6-month mortality was noted between the groups (p= 0.814).ConclusionDelayed trauma center admission following TBI is common. Factors increasing likelihood of this were: male gender, incident at public place compared to home, low energy trauma, absence of pre-hospital physician involvement, stable blood pressure, no major extra cranial injuries, normal pupillary light reflex and severe alcohol intoxication. Focused educational efforts and access to physician consultation may help expedite access to appropriate care in TBI patients.

Early Activation of the Kynurenine Pathway Predicts Early Death and Long-term Outcome in Patients Resuscitated From Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the major route of tryptophan (TRP) catabolism and is activated by inflammation and after cardiac arrest in animals. We hypothesized that the KP activation level correlates with severity of post–cardiac arrest shock, early death, and long‐term outcome. Methods and Results Plasma was obtained from 245 patients enrolled in a prospective multicenter observational study in 21 intensive care units in Finland. Time to return of spontaneous circulation, lowest systolic arterial pressure, and bicarbonate during the first 24 hours were collected. A cerebral performance category of 3 to 5 defined 12‐month poor outcome. Plasma TRP and KP metabolites, kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid, 3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid, and the ratio of KYN to TRP were measured by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. All KP metabolites at intensive care unit admission were significantly higher in cardiac arrest patients with a nonshockable rhythm compared to those with a shockable rhythm, and kynurenic acid and 3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid correlated with time to return of spontaneous circulation. Patients with higher levels of KYN, KYN to TRP, kynurenic acid, and 3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid had lower 24‐hour systolic arterial pressure and bicarbonate. All KP metabolites and the ratio of KYN to TRP, but not TRP, were significantly higher in patients who died in the intensive care unit in comparison to those who survived. Multivariable logistic regression showed that high kynurenic acid (odds ratio: 1.004; 95% confidence interval: 1.001 to 1.008; P=0.014), and 3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid (odds ratio: 1.011; 95% confidence interval: 1.001 to 1.022; P=0.03) were independently associated with 12‐month poor outcome and significantly improved risk reclassification. Conclusions KP is activated early after cardiac arrest and is associated with severity of post–cardiac arrest shock, early death, and poor long‐term outcome.

Prearrest signs of shock and respiratory insufficiency in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests witnessed by crew of the emergency medical service

AIM The objective of this study is to determine whether prearrest shock and respiratory insufficiency influence outcome in patients with emergency medical service-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS Analysis of data from a cardiac arrest database and data from the ambulance charts was performed. For the purpose of the study, shock was defined as prearrest heart rate below 40 or above 140/min, systolic blood pressure as below 90 mm Hg, and respiratory insufficiency as respiratory rate above 36 or oxygen saturation below 90%. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS Of a total of 303 patients, 81% had prearrest shock or respiratory insufficiency. Mortality was higher in these patients indicated by fewer with return of spontaneous circulation (43% vs 75%, P < .001), and lower survival to hospital admission (31% vs 71%, P < .001) and to discharge (13% vs 59%, P < .001). Independent predictors of mortality were age (OR, 1.04; CI, 1.0-1.06), initial rhythm other than ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia (OR, 32.9; CI, 10.9-99.0), and respiratory insufficiency (OR, 4.2; CI, 1.4-12.5). CONCLUSIONS Shock and respiratory depression are common among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest witnessed by the emergency medical service, and these patients have a high mortality when compared with patients without shock or respiratory failure.

The incidence and outcome of in-ICU cardiac arrest.

Dear Editor, We would like to thank Eastwood and Bellomo [1] for their interest in our paper on intensive care unit cardiac arrest (ICU-CA) in Finland between 2003 and 2013 [2]. We agree that ICU-CA incidence varies greatly. In a recent systematic review we found incidence rates to vary between 6 and 78/1,000 ICU admissions [3]. We think that the most important reason for this, apart from obvious differences in end-of-life care and allocation of ICU beds, is indeed the definition for cardiac arrest used in the different studies. In our study we defined cardiac arrest cases on the basis of the TISS item ‘‘cardiac arrest and/or countershock within past 48 h’’, according to which even brief arrests that required only defibrillation would result in a positive TISS item. A more commonly used definition ‘‘the need for chest compressions’’ might exclude brief episodes of ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia treated with defibrillation only. Additionally cardiac arrest occurring in the areas where all expertise and resources needed for cardiac arrest management are readily available would not necessarily lead to rapid response team activation. The noted decrease in ICU-CA incidence and ICU-CA survival is in line with studies showing a decrease in in-hospital cardiac arrest incidence and improved survival overall [4]. We agree that these changes are multifactorial. Our findings should, as we have stated in our paper, be tested in other health care settings. Finally we think that adult ICU-CA has been somewhat neglected by the scientific community and there is a clear need for prospective studies looking at the etiology, management and outcome of ICU-CA.

Early activation of the kynurenine pathway predicts early death and long-term outcome in patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Giuseppe Ristagno, MD, PhD; Roberto Latini, MD; Jukka Vaahersalo, MD; Serge Masson, PhD; Jouni Kurola, MD, PhD; Tero Varpula, MD, PhD; Jacopo Lucchetti, MBiol; Claudia Fracasso, MBiol; Giovanna Guiso, MBiol; Alessandro Montanelli, MD; Simona Barlera, MSc; Marco Gobbi, PhD; Marjaana Tiainen, MD, PhD; Ville Pettil€a, MD, PhD; Markus B. Skrifvars, MD, PhD, EDIC, FCICM; for the FINNRESUSCI Investigators*