Sikandar Khan

Decreasing Delirium through Music (DDM) in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDelirium is a highly prevalent and morbid syndrome in intensive care units (ICUs). Changing the stressful environment within the ICU via music may be an effective and a scalable way to reduce the burden of delirium.Methods/designThe Decreasing Delirium through Music (DDM) study is a three-arm, single-blind, randomized controlled feasibility trial.Sixty patients admitted to the ICU with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation will be randomized to one of three arms (20 participants per arm): (1) personalized music, (2) non-personalized relaxing music, or (3) attention-control. Music preferences will be obtained from all enrolled participants or their family caregivers. Participants will receive two 1-h audio sessions a day through noise-cancelling headphones and mp3 players. Our primary aim is to determine the feasibility of the trial design (recruitment, adherence, participant retention, design and delivery of the music intervention). Our secondary aim is to estimate the potential effect size of patient-preferred music listening in reducing delirium, as measured by the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). Participants will receive twice daily assessments for level of sedation and presence of delirium. Enrolled participants will be followed in the hospital until death, discharge, or up to 28xa0days, and seen in the Critical Care Recovery Clinic at 90xa0days.DiscussionDDM is a feasibility trial to provide personalized and non-personalized music interventions for critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. Our trial will also estimate the preliminary efficacy of music interventions on reducing delirium incidence and severity.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT03095443. Registered on 23 March 2017.

Antidepressant Use and Depressive Symptoms in Intensive Care Unit Survivors

&NA; Nearly 30% of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors have depressive symptoms 2‐12 months after hospital discharge. We examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms and risk factors for depressive symptoms in 204 patients at their initial evaluation in the Critical Care Recovery Center (CCRC), an ICU survivor clinic based at Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thirty‐two percent (N = 65) of patients had depressive symptoms on initial CCRC visit. For patients who are not on an antidepressant at their initial CCRC visit (N = 135), younger age and lower education level were associated with a higher likelihood of having depressive symptoms. For patients on an antidepressant at their initial CCRC visit (N = 69), younger age and being African American race were associated with a higher likelihood of having depressive symptoms. Future studies will need to confirm these findings and examine new approaches to increase access to depression treatment and test new antidepressant regimens for post‐ICU depression.

Mobile critical care recovery program (m-CCRP) for acute respiratory failure survivors: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPatients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) with acute respiratory failure (ARF) face chronic complications that can impede return to normal daily function. A mobile, collaborative critical care model may enhance the recovery of ARF survivors.MethodsThe Mobile Critical Care Recovery Program (m-CCRP) study is a two arm, randomized clinical trial. We will randomize 620 patients admitted to the ICU with acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in a 1:1 ratio to one of two arms (310 patients per arm) – m-CCRP intervention versus attention control. Those in the intervention group will meet with a care coordinator after hospital discharge in predetermined intervals to aid in the recovery process. Baseline assessments and personalized goal setting will be used to develop an individualized care plan for each patient after discussion with an interdisciplinary team. The attention control arm will receive printed material and telephone reminders emphasizing mobility and management of chronic conditions. Duration of the intervention and follow-up is 12xa0months post-randomization.Our primary aim is to assess the efficacy of m-CCRP in improving the quality of life of ARF survivors at 12xa0months. Secondary aims of the study are to evaluate the efficacy of m-CCRP in improving function (cognitive, physical, and psychological) of ARF survivors and to determine the efficacy of m-CCRP in reducing acute healthcare utilization.DiscussionThe proposed randomized controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy of a collaborative critical care recovery program in accomplishing the Institute of Healthcare Improvement’s triple aims of better health, better care, at lower cost. We have developed a collaborative critical care model to promote ARF survivors’ recovery from the physical, psychological, and cognitive impacts of critical illness. In contrast to a single disease focus and clinic-based access, m-CCRP represents a comprehensive, accessible, mobile, ahead of the curve intervention, focused on the multiple aspects of the unique recovery needs of ARF survivors.Trial registrationNCT03053245, clinicaltrials.gov, registered February 1, 2017.

Improving Recovery and Outcomes Every Day after the ICU (IMPROVE): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDelirium affects nearly 70% of older adults hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU), and many of those will be left with persistent cognitive impairment or dementia. There are no effective and scalable recovery models to remediate ICU-acquired cognitive impairment and its attendant elevated risk for dementia or Alzheimer disease (AD). The Improving Recovery and Outcomes Every Day after the ICU (IMPROVE) trial is an ongoing clinical trial which evaluates the efficacy of a combined physical exercise and cognitive training on cognitive function among ICU survivors 50 years and older who experienced delirium during an ICU stay. This article describes the study protocol for IMPROVE.MethodsIMPROVE is a four-arm, randomized controlled trial. Subjects will be randomized to one of four arms: cognitive training and physical exercise; cognitive control and physical exercise; cognitive training and physical exercise control; and cognitive control and physical exercise control. Facilitators administer the physical exercise and exercise control interventions in individual and small group formats by using Internet-enabled videoconference. Cognitive training and control interventions are also facilitator led using Posit Science, Inc. online modules delivered in individual and small group format directly into the participants’ homes. Subjects complete cognitive assessment, mood questionnaires, physical performance batteries, and quality of life scales at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Blood samples will also be taken at baseline and 3 months to measure pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase reactants; neurotrophic factors; and markers of glial dysfunction and astrocyte activation.DiscussionThis study is the first clinical trial to examine the efficacy of combined physical and cognitive exercise on cognitive function in older ICU survivors with delirium. The results will provide information about potential synergistic effects of a combined intervention on a range of outcomes and mechanisms of action.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03095417. Registered on 23 March 2017. Last updated on 15 May 2017.

Preoperative STOP-BANG Scores and Postoperative Delirium and Coma in Thoracic Surgery Patients

BACKGROUNDnObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with higher rates of postoperative delirium. The relationship between preoperative OSA risk and postoperative delirium and coma in thoracic surgery patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) is not well understood. This study tests the hypothesis that thoracic surgery patients hospitalized in ICU with a higher preoperative risk for OSA are more likely to develop postoperative delirium and coma, resulting in longer hospital stays.nnnMETHODSnPreoperative OSA risk was measured using the STOP-BANG questionnaire. STOP-BANG scores of greater than or equal to 3 were defined as intermediate-high risk for OSA; 128 patients who underwent major thoracic surgery completed the STOP-BANG questionnaire preoperatively. The Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale was used to assess level of consciousness. The Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU was used to assess for delirium. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between risk of OSA and outcome measures. Results were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, instrumental activities of daily living, and surgery type.nnnRESULTSnA total of 96 of 128 patients (76%) were in the intermediate-high-risk OSA group. Adjusted analyses showed that the intermediate-high-risk OSA group had a longer duration of postoperative ICU delirium and coma compared with the low-risk OSA group (1.4 ± 1.3 days versus 0.9 ± 1.4 days; Pxa0= 0.04). Total number of hospital days was not significantly different.nnnCONCLUSIONSnHigher preoperative risk for OSA in thoracic surgery patients was associated with a longer duration of postoperative delirium and coma.

Age of transfused red blood cells and health outcomes in two surgical cohorts

Rationale: Red blood cells (RBC) undergo morphologic and biochemical changes during storage which may lead to adverse health risks upon transfusion. In prior studies, the effect of RBC age on health outcomes has been conflicting. We designed the study to assess the effects of RBC units storage duration on health outcomes specifically for hospitalized patients undergoing hip fracture surgery or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Methods: Using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9 codes, hip fracture surgery and CABG surgery patients, who received RBC transfusions between 2008 and 2013, were retrospectively identified from the electronic medical records system. Hip fracture surgery and CABG cohorts were sub‐divided into 3 blood age groups based upon RBC unit age at the time of transfusion: young blood (RBC units stored less than or equal to 14 days), old blood (RBC units were stored for greater than or equal to 28 days), or mixed blood for the remaining patients. Outcome variables were 30‐day, 90‐day, and inpatient mortality as well as hospital length of stay. Results: A total of 3,182 patients were identified: 1,121 with hip fractures and 2,061 with CABG. Transfusion of old blood was associated with higher inpatient mortality in the hip fracture surgery cohort (OR 166.8, 95% CI 1.067‐26064.7, p = 0.04) and a higher 30‐day mortality in the CABG cohort (OR 4.55, 95% CI 1.01–20.49, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Transfusing RBC units stored for greater than or equal to 28 days may be associated with a higher mortality for patients undergoing hip fracture or CABG.

Effects of music intervention on inflammatory markers in critically ill and post-operative patients: A systematic review of the literature

Background: Music listening has been shown to reduce anxiety, stress, and patient tolerance of procedures. Music may also have beneficial effects on inflammatory biomarkers in intensive care and post‐operative patients, but the quality of evidence is not clear. Objectives: We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effects of music on inflammatory biomarkers in intensive care, and post‐operative patients. Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was performed. After screening 1570 references, full text review of 26 studies was performed. Fourteen studies were selected for inclusion. Results: Seven studies showed a significant decrease in cortisol levels, but the level of evidence was low. Three studies had low risk of methodological bias, while 11 studies had high risk of bias. Conclusions: Music intervention may decrease cortisol levels, but other biomarkers remain unchanged. Given the low level of evidence, further research on music effects on inflammatory biomarkers is needed.