Paulo José Zimermann Teixeira

Decreases in procalcitonin and C-reactive protein are strong predictors of survival in ventilator-associated pneumonia

IntroductionThis study sought to assess the prognostic value of the kinetics of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and clinical scores (clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)) in the outcome of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) at an early time point, when adequacy of antimicrobial treatment is evaluated.MethodsThis prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a teaching hospital. The subjects were 75 patients consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit from October 2003 to August 2005 who developed VAP. Patients were followed for 28 days after the diagnosis, when they were considered survivors. Patients who died before the 28th day were non-survivors. There were no interventions.ResultsPCT, CRP and SOFA score were determined on day 0 and day 4. Variables included in the univariable logistic regression model for survival were age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, decreasing ΔSOFA, decreasing ΔPCT and decreasing ΔCRP. Survival was directly related to decreasing ΔPCT with odds ratio (OR) = 5.67 (95% confidence interval 1.78 to 18.03), decreasing ΔCRP with OR = 3.78 (1.24 to 11.50), decreasing ΔSOFA with OR = 3.08 (1.02 to 9.26) and APACHE II score with OR = 0.92 (0.86 to 0.99). In a multivariable logistic regression model for survival, only decreasing ΔPCT with OR = 4.43 (1.08 to 18.18) and decreasing ΔCRP with OR = 7.40 (1.58 to 34.73) remained significant. Decreasing ΔCPIS was not related to survival (p = 0.59). There was a trend to correlate adequacy to survival. Fifty percent of the 20 patients treated with inadequate antibiotics and 65.5% of the 55 patients on adequate antibiotics survived (p = 0.29).ConclusionMeasurement of PCT and CRP at onset and on the fourth day of treatment can predict survival of VAP patients. A decrease in either one of these marker values predicts survival.

Quantitative versus qualitative cultures of respiratory secretions for clinical outcomes in patients with ventilator‐associated pneumonia

BACKGROUNDnVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common infectious disease in intensive care units (ICUs). The best diagnostic approach to resolve this condition remains uncertain.nnnOBJECTIVESnTo evaluate whether quantitative cultures of respiratory secretions and invasive strategies are effective in reducing mortality in immunocompetent patients with VAP, compared with qualitative cultures and non-invasive strategies. We also considered changes in antibiotic use, length of ICU stay and mechanical ventilation.nnnSEARCH METHODSnWe searched CENTRAL (2014, Issue 9), MEDLINE (1966 to October week 2, 2014), EMBASE (1974 to October 2014) and LILACS (1982 to October 2014).nnnSELECTION CRITERIAnRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing respiratory samples processed quantitatively or qualitatively, obtained by invasive or non-invasive methods from immunocompetent patients with VAP and which analysed the impact of these methods on antibiotic use and mortality rates.nnnDATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSISnTwo review authors independently reviewed the trials identified in the search results and assessed studies for suitability, methodology and quality. We analysed data using Review Manager software. We pooled the included studies to yield the risk ratio (RR) for mortality and antibiotic change with 95% confidence intervals (CI).nnnMAIN RESULTSnOf the 5064 references identified from the electronic databases (605 from the updated search in October 2014), five RCTs (1367 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Three studies compared invasive methods using quantitative cultures versus non-invasive methods using qualitative cultures, and we used them to answer the main objective of this review. The other two studies compared invasive versus non-invasive methods, both using quantitative cultures. We combined all five studies to compare invasive versus non-invasive interventions for diagnosing VAP. The studies that compared quantitative and qualitative cultures (1240 patients) showed no statistically significant differences in mortality rates (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.11). The analysis of all five RCTs showed there was no evidence of reduction in mortality in the invasive group versus the non-invasive group (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.78 to 1.11). There were no significant differences between the interventions with respect to the number of days on mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay or antibiotic change.nnnAUTHORS CONCLUSIONSnThere is no evidence that the use of quantitative cultures of respiratory secretions results in reduced mortality, reduced time in ICU and on mechanical ventilation, or higher rates of antibiotic change when compared to qualitative cultures in patients with VAP. We observed similar results when invasive strategies were compared with non-invasive strategies.

Copeptin, a novel prognostic biomarker in ventilator-associated pneumonia

BackgroundThe present study sought to investigate the correlation of copeptin with the severity of septic status in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and to analyze the usefulness of copeptin as a predictor of mortality in VAP.MethodsThe prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a teaching hospital. The subjects were 71 patients consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit from October 2003 to August 2005 who developed VAP. Copeptin levels were determined on day 0 and day 4 of VAP. Patients were followed for 28 days after the diagnosis, when they were considered survivors. Patients who died before day 28 were classified as nonsurvivors. There were no interventions.ResultsCopeptin levels increased from sepsis to severe sepsis and septic shock both on day 0 and day 4 (P = 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). Variables included in the univariable logistic regression analysis for mortality were age, gender, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score and ln copeptin on day 0 and day 4. Mortality was directly related to ln copeptin levels on day 0 and day 4, with odds ratios of 2.32 (95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 4.29) and 2.31 (95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 4.25), respectively. In a multivariable logistic regression model for mortality, only ln copeptin on day 0 with odds ratio 1.97 (95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 3.69) and ln copeptin on day 4 with odds ratio 2.39 (95% confidence interval, 1.24 to 4.62) remained significant.ConclusionOur data demonstrate that copeptin levels increase progressively with the severity of sepsis and are independent predictors of mortality in VAP.

C-reactive protein correlates with bacterial load and appropriate antibiotic therapy in suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia

Objective:Appropriateness of antibiotic therapy is associated with reduction of bacterial load in ventilator-associated pneumonia. C-reactive protein is a valid biochemical surrogate. The objective was to determine the correlation of bacterial load, measured by quantitative tracheal aspirate (QTA), with serum C-reactive protein as an indicator of inflammatory response in episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia and association of its variation with antibiotic appropriateness. Design:Prospective, observational cohort study. Setting:Two medical-surgical intensive care units at large urban hospitals affiliated with teaching institutions. Patients:Sixty-eight intubated patients with monomicrobial ventilator-associated pneumonia. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:QTA and serum C-reactive protein were measured in patients with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia on diagnosis (baseline) and 96 hrs afterward (follow-up). Its logarithm value (logQTA) was calculated. LogQTA correlated positively with serum C-reactive protein (&rgr; = 0.46, p < .05), temperature (&rgr; = 0.20, p = .05), and white blood cell count (&rgr; = 0.22, p < .05). LogQTA decreased significantly more from baseline to follow-up in patients receiving appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy compared with those with inappropriate treatment (logQTA ratio 0.77 ± 0.22 vs. 1.02 ± 0.27, p < .05). Mean serum C-reactive protein levels showed a similar pattern, decreasing from baseline to follow-up in patients receiving appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment but not in episodes with inappropriate treatment (C-reactive protein ratio 0.58 ± 0.32 vs. 1.36 ± 1.11, p < .05). There was a positive correlation between serum C-reactive protein and logQTA variations (r2 = .59, p < .05). Adjusted mean serum C-reactive protein levels by analysis of covariance on follow-up were significantly lower in patients with appropriate antibiotic treatment than in those with inappropriate empirical treatment (103 ± 10 mg/L vs. 192 ± 14 mg/L, p < .05). A C-reactive protein ratio of 0.8 at 96 hrs was a useful indicator of appropriateness of antibiotic therapy (sensitivity 77%; specificity 87%; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.86 [0.75–0.96]). Conclusions:C-reactive protein is a useful biochemical surrogate of bacterial burden in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Follow-up measurements of serum C-reactive protein anticipate the appropriateness of antibiotic therapy.

Diretrizes brasileiras para pneumonia adquirida na comunidade em adultos imunocompetentes - 2009

Community-acquired pneumonia continues to be the acute infectious disease that has the greatest medical and social impact regarding morbidity and treatment costs. Children and the elderly are more susceptible to severe complications, thereby justifying the fact that the prevention measures adopted have focused on these age brackets. Despite the advances in the knowledge of etiology and physiopathology, as well as the improvement in preliminary clinical and therapeutic methods, various questions merit further investigation. This is due to the clinical, social, demographical and structural diversity, which cannot be fully predicted. Consequently, guidelines are published in order to compile the most recent knowledge in a systematic way and to promote the rational use of that knowledge in medical practice. Therefore, guidelines are not a rigid set of rules that must be followed, but first and foremost a tool to be used in a critical way, bearing in mind the variability of biological and human responses within their individual and social contexts. This document represents the conclusion of a detailed discussion among the members of the Scientific Board and Respiratory Infection Committee of the Brazilian Thoracic Association. The objective of the work group was to present relevant topics in order to update the previous guidelines. We attempted to avoid the repetition of consensual concepts. The principal objective of creating this document was to present a compilation of the recent advances published in the literature and, consequently, to contribute to improving the quality of the medical care provided to immunocompetent adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia.Community-acquired pneumonia continues to be the acute infectious disease that has the greatest medical and social impact regarding morbidity and treatment costs. Children and the elderly are more susceptible to severe complications, thereby justifying the fact that the prevention measures adopted have focused on these age brackets. Despite the advances in the knowledge of etiology and physiopathology, as well as the improvement in preliminary clinical and therapeutic methods, various questions merit further investigation. This is due to the clinical, social, demographical and structural diversity, which cannot be fully predicted. Consequently, guidelines are published in order to compile the most recent knowledge in a systematic way and to promote the rational use of that knowledge in medical practice. Therefore, guidelines are not a rigid set of rules that must be followed, but first and foremost a tool to be used in a critical way, bearing in mind the variability of biological and human responses within their individual and social contexts. This document represents the conclusion of a detailed discussion among the members of the Scientific Board and Respiratory Infection Committee of the Brazilian Thoracic Association. The objective of the work group was to present relevant topics in order to update the previous guidelines. We attempted to avoid the repetition of consensual concepts. The principal objective of creating this document was to present a compilation of the recent advances published in the literature and, consequently, to contribute to improving the quality of the medical care provided to immunocompetent adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica: impacto da multirresistência bacteriana na morbidade e mortalidade

INTRODUCAO: A pneumonia associada a ventilacao mecânica e a infeccao hospitalar mais comum nas unidades de terapia intensiva. OBJETIVO: Determinar o impacto da multirresistencia dos microorganismos na morbidade e mortalidade dos pacientes com pneumonia associada a ventilacao mecânica. METODO: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo. Em 40 meses consecutivos, 91 pacientes sob ventilacao mecânica tiveram o diagnostico de pneumonia. Os casos foram divididos entre causados por microorganismo multirresistente e causados por microorganismo sensivel a antibioticoterapia. RESULTADOS: Pneumonia foi causada por microorganismo multirresistente em 75 casos (82,4%) e por microorganismo sensivel 16 (17,6%) deles. As caracteristicas clinicas e epidemiologicas nao foram estatisticamente diferentes entre os grupos. O Staphylococcus aureus foi responsavel por 27,5% dos episodios de pneumonia associada a ventilacao mecânica e a Pseudomonas aeruginosa por 17,6%. A doenca foi de inicio recente em 33 pacientes (36,3%) e de inicio tardio em 58 deles (63,7%). Os tempos de ventilacao mecânica, de internacao em unidade de terapia intensiva e de internacao hospitalar total nao diferiram. O tratamento empirico foi considerado inadequado em 42 pacientes com pneumonia por microorganismo multirresistente (56%) e em 4 com pneumonia por microorganismo sensivel (25%) (p = 0,02). Obito ocorreu em 46 pacientes com a pneumonia por microorganismo multirresistente (61,3%), e em 4 daqueles com pneumonia por microorganismo sensivel (25%) (p = 0,008). CONCLUSAO: A multirresistencia bacteriana nao determinou nenhum impacto na morbidade, mas esteve associada a maior mortalidade.

Prognostic value of midregional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide in ventilator-associated pneumonia

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the correlation of midregional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) with severity of septic status in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and the usefulness of MR-proANP for mortality prediction in VAP.DesignProspective observational cohort study.SettingUniversity Hospital.PatientsSeventy-one patients consecutively admitted to ICU who developed VAP. Patients were followed for 28xa0days after diagnosis, when they were considered survivors. There were no interventions.ResultsMR-proANP levels increased from sepsis to severe sepsis and septic shock on D0 and D4 of VAP (0.002 and 0.02 respectively). Median MR-proANP levels on day 0 and day 4 (pmol/L [interquartile range]) were 149.0 (79.8–480.0) and 249.0 (93.6–571.0) in septic patients, 438.5 (229.3–762.0) and 407.5 (197.8–738.0) in severe sepsis, 519.5 (369.5–1282.3) and 632.0 (476.0–1047.5) in septic shock. On day 0 and day 4, MR-proANP levels were significantly higher in non-survivors (525.0 [324.0–957.8] and 679.5 [435.0–879.5], respectively) than in survivors (235.0 [102.0–535.0] and 254.0 [110.0–571.0], respectively; Pxa0=xa00.004). Univariate logistic regression model for mortality included age, gender, APACHE II score, creatinine, logarithmic transformed MR-proANP (LnMR-proANP). Mortality was directly related to LnMR-proANP on D0 and D4, with odds ratios (OR) of 2.06 (95% CI 1.21–3.51) and 2.63 (1.33–5.23), respectively. In multivariate logistic regression, only LnMR-proANP D0 with ORxa0=xa02.35 (1.05–5.26) and LnMR-proANP D4 with ORxa0=xa03.76 (1.39–10.18) remained significant.ConclusionsOur data demonstrated that MR-proANP levels increase progressively with the severity of sepsis and are independent predictors of mortality in VAP.

A Comparison Between Ventilation Modes: How Does Activity Level Affect Energy Expenditure Estimates?

BACKGROUNDnAn appropriate diet is essential to avoid complications of overfeeding or underfeeding in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The paucity of consistent comparative data on energy expenditure for each ventilation mode complicates diet prescription. This study evaluates caloric requirements by comparing estimated and measured energy expenditure values for 2 ventilation modes.nnnMETHODSnThe energy expenditure of 100 ICU patients on assisted or controlled mechanical ventilation was measured by indirect calorimetry for 20 minutes. Values were calculated for a 24-hour period and compared with Harris-Benedict estimates multiplied by an injury factor and either multiplied or not by a 10% activity factor.nnnRESULTSnThe mean Harris-Benedict estimate was 1858.87 +/- 488.67 kcal/24 h when multiplied by an injury factor and a 10% activity factor. The mean energy expenditure values measured by indirect calorimetry were 1712.76 +/- 491.95 kcal/24 h for controlled and 1867.33 +/- 542.67 kcal/24 h for assisted ventilation. The mean total energy expenditure for assisted ventilation was 10.71% greater than the mean for controlled ventilation (P < .001). For controlled ventilation, Harris-Benedict results overestimated indirect calorimetry values by 141.10 +/- 10 kcal/24 h (8.2%, P = .012) when multiplied by injury and activity factors, and underestimated values by 44.28 +/- 28 kcal/24 h (2.6%, P = .399) when the equation was calculated without the activity factor. For assisted ventilation, Harris-Benedict results underestimated indirect calorimetry values by 198.84 +/- 84 kcal/24 h (10.7%, P = .001) when not multiplied by the activity factor and by 13.46 kcal/24 h (0.75%) when the activity factor was used, but differences were not statistically significant (P = .829).nnnCONCLUSIONSnResults suggest that a 10% activity factor should be adopted only for assisted ventilation because multiplication by an activity factor may lead to overfeeding of patients on controlled ventilation.

Effects of Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure on Dynamic Hyperinflation During Exercise in Patients With COPD

BACKGROUND: Expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) is a form of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilatory support that, in spite of not unloading respiratory muscles during inspiration, may reduce the inspiratory threshold load and attenuate expiratory dynamic airway compression, contributing to reduced expiratory air-flow limitation in patients with COPD. We sought to determine the effects of EPAP on operational lung volumes during exercise in COPD patients. METHODS: This was a nonrandomized, experimental comparison of 2 exercise conditions (with and without EPAP); subjects completed a treadmill exercise test and performed, before and immediately after exercise, lung volume measurements. Those who overtly developed dynamic hyperinflation (DH), as defined by at least a 15% reduction from pre-exercise inspiratory capacity (IC), were invited for an additional research visit to repeat the same exercise protocol while receiving EPAP through a spring loaded resistor face mask. The primary outcome was IC variance (pre-post exercise) comparison under the 2 exercise conditions. RESULTS: Forty-six subjects (32 males), a mean 65.0 ± 8.2 years of age, and with moderate to severe COPD (FEV1 = 38 ± 16% predicted) were initially enrolled. From this initial sample, 17 (37%) presented overt DH, as previously defined. No significant difference was found between these subjects and the rest of the initial sample. Comparing before and after exercise, there was significantly less reduction in IC observed when EPAP was used (−0.18 ± 0.35 L vs −0.57 ± 0.45 L, P = .02), allowing greater IC final values (1.45 ± 0.50 L vs 1.13 ± 0.52 L, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: The application of EPAP reduced DH, as shown by lower operational lung volumes after submaximal exercise in COPD patients who previously manifested exercise DH.

Exacerbations of COPD and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and COPD exacerbations. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of various electronic databases for articles published up through December of 2012. Studies considered eligible for inclusion were those dealing with COPD, COPD exacerbations, and GER; comparing at least two groups (COPD vs. controls or GER vs. controls); and describing relative risks (RRs) and prevalence ratios-or ORs and their respective 95% CIs (or presenting enough data to allow further calculations) for the association between GER and COPD-as well as exacerbation rates. Using a standardized form, we extracted data related to the study design; criteria for GER diagnosis; age, gender, and number of participants; randomization method; severity scores; methods of evaluating GER symptoms; criteria for defining exacerbations; exacerbation rates (hospitalizations, ER visits, unscheduled clinic visits, prednisone use, and antibiotic use); GER symptoms in COPD group vs. controls; mean number of COPD exacerbations (with symptoms vs. without symptoms); annual frequency of exacerbations; GER treatment; and severity of airflow obstruction. RESULTS: Overall, GER was clearly identified as a risk factor for COPD exacerbations (RR = 7.57; 95% CI: 3.84-14.94), with an increased mean number of exacerbations per year (mean difference: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.22-1.36). The prevalence of GER was significantly higher in patients with COPD than in those without (RR = 13.06; 95% CI: 3.64-46.87; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GER is a risk factor for COPD exacerbations. The role of GER in COPD management should be studied in greater detail.