Zan Mitrev

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium report, data summary for 2002-2007, issued January 2008

We report the results of an International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from 2002 through 2007 in 98 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. During the 6-year study, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (NNIS) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection, we collected prospective data from 43,114 patients hospitalized in the Consortiums hospital ICUs for an aggregate of 272,279 days. Although device utilization in the INICC ICUs was remarkably similar to that reported from US ICUs in the CDCs National Healthcare Safety Network, rates of device-associated nosocomial infection were markedly higher in the ICUs of the INICC hospitals: the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABs) in the INICC ICUs, 9.2 per 1000 CL-days, is nearly 3-fold higher than the 2.4-5.3 per 1000 CL-days reported from comparable US ICUs, and the overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also far higher, 19.5 vs 1.1-3.6 per 1000 ventilator-days, as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 6.5 versus 3.4-5.2 per 1000 catheter-days. Most strikingly, the frequencies of resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolates to methicillin (MRSA) (80.8% vs 48.1%), Enterobacter species to ceftriaxone (50.8% vs 17.8%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to fluoroquinolones (52.4% vs 29.1%) were also far higher in the Consortiums ICUs, and the crude unadjusted excess mortalities of device-related infections ranged from 14.3% (CLABs) to 27.5% (ventilator-associated pneumonia).

Impact of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Strategy on Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection Rates in the Intensive Care Units of 15 Developing Countries

BACKGROUND The International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) was established in 15 developing countries to reduce infection rates in resource-limited hospitals by focusing on education and feedback of outcome surveillance (infection rates) and process surveillance (adherence to infection control measures). We report a time-sequence analysis of the effectiveness of this approach in reducing rates of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and associated deaths in 86 intensive care units with a minimum of 6-month INICC membership. METHODS Pooled CLABSI rates during the first 3 months (baseline) were compared with rates at 6-month intervals during the first 24 months in 53,719 patients (190,905 central line-days). Process surveillance results at baseline were compared with intervention period data. RESULTS During the first 6 months, CLABSI incidence decreased by 33% (from 14.5 to 9.7 CLABSIs per 1,000 central line-days). Over the first 24 months there was a cumulative reduction from baseline of 54% (from 16.0 to 7.4 CLABSIs per 1,000 central line-days; relative risk, 0.46 [95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.63]; P < .001). The number of deaths in patients with CLABSI decreased by 58%. During the intervention period, hand hygiene adherence improved from 50% to 60% (P < .001); the percentage of intensive care units that used maximal sterile barriers at insertion increased from 45% to 85% (P < .001), that adopted chlorhexidine for antisepsis increased from 7% to 27% (P < .001), and that sought to remove unneeded catheters increased from 37% to 83% (P < .001); and the duration of central line placement decreased from 4.1 to 3.5 days (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Education, performance feedback, and outcome and process surveillance of CLABSI rates significantly improved infection control adherence, reducing the CLABSI incidence by 54% and the number of CLABSI-associated deaths by 58% in INICC hospitals during the first 2 years.

Effectiveness of a multidimensional approach for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in adult intensive care units from 14 developing countries of four continents: Findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium

Objectives:The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium’s multidimensional approach on the reduction of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Design:A prospective active surveillance before–after study. The study was divided into two phases. During phase 1, the infection control team at each intensive care unit conducted active prospective surveillance of ventilator-associated pneumonia by applying the definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health Safety Network, and the methodology of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium. During phase 2, the multidimensional approach for ventilator-associated pneumonia was implemented at each intensive care unit, in addition to the active surveillance. Setting:Forty-four adult intensive care units in 38 hospitals, members of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium, from 31 cities of the following 14 developing countries: Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, India, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Peru, and Turkey. Patients:A total of 55,507 adult patients admitted to 44 intensive care units in 38 hospitals. Interventions:The International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium ventilator-associated pneumonia multidimensional approach included the following measures: 1) bundle of infection-control interventions; 2) education; 3) outcome surveillance; 4) process surveillance; 5) feedback of ventilator-associated pneumonia rates; and 6) performance feedback of infection-control practices. Measurements:The ventilator-associated pneumonia rates obtained in phase 1 were compared with the rates obtained in phase 2. We performed a time-series analysis to analyze the impact of our intervention. Main Result:During phase 1, we recorded 10,292 mechanical ventilator days, and during phase 2, with the implementation of the multidimensional approach, we recorded 127,374 mechanical ventilator days. The rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was 22.0 per 1,000 mechanical ventilator days during phase 1, and 17.2 per 1,000 mechanical ventilator days during phase 2.The adjusted model of linear trend shows a 55.83% reduction in the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia at the end of the study period; that is, the ventilator-associated pneumonia rate was 55.83% lower than it was at the beginning of the study. Conclusion:The implementation the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium multidimensional approach for ventilator-associated pneumonia was associated with a significant reduction in the ventilator-associated pneumonia rate in the adult intensive care units setting of developing countries.

Surgical Site Infections, International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Report, Data Summary of 30 Countries, 2005–2010

OBJECTIVE  To report the results of a surveillance study on surgical site infections (SSIs) conducted by the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC). DESIGN  Cohort prospective multinational multicenter surveillance study. SETTING  Eighty-two hospitals of 66 cities in 30 countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Greece, India, Kosovo, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Sudan, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, and Vietnam) from 4 continents (America, Asia, Africa, and Europe). PATIENTS  Patients undergoing surgical procedures (SPs) from January 2005 to December 2010. METHODS  Data were gathered and recorded from patients hospitalized in INICC member hospitals by using the methods and definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC-NHSN) for SSI. SPs were classified into 31 types according to International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, criteria. RESULTS  We gathered data from 7,523 SSIs associated with 260,973 SPs. SSI rates were significantly higher for most SPs in INICC hospitals compared with CDC-NHSN data, including the rates of SSI after hip prosthesis (2.6% vs. 1.3%; relative risk [RR], 2.06 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.8-2.4]; P < .001), coronary bypass with chest and donor incision (4.5% vs. 2.9%; RR, 1.52 [95% CI, 1.4-1.6]; [P < .001); abdominal hysterectomy (2.7% vs. 1.6%; RR, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.4-2.0]; P < .001); exploratory abdominal surgery (4.1% vs. 2.0%; RR, 2.05 [95% CI, 1.6-2.6]; P < .001); ventricular shunt, 12.9% vs. 5.6% (RR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.9-2.6]; P < .001, and others. CONCLUSIONS  SSI rates were higher for most SPs in INICC hospitals compared with CDC-NHSN data.

Reperfusion injury in skeletal muscle: controlled limb reperfusion reduces local and systemic complications after prolonged ischaemia

Previous studies in isolated limbs using crystalloid perfusion solutions have shown that control of the initial reperfusion reduces postischaemic complications. However, no experimental study has been undertaken to evaluate the concept of controlled limb reperfusion experimentally in an in vivo blood-perfused model and to assess the local as well as systemic effects of normal blood reperfusion and controlled limb reperfusion. Of 20 pigs undergoing preparation of the infrarenal aorta and iliac arteries, six were observed for 7.5 h and served as controls; 14 others underwent 6 h of complete infrarenal occlusion. Thereafter, embolectomy was simulated in eight pigs by removing the aortic clamp and establishing normal blood reperfusion at systemic pressure. In six other pigs, the composition of the reperfusate and the conditions of reperfusion were controlled during the first 30 min, followed by normal blood reperfusion. Some 6 h of infrarenal aortic occlusion leads to a severe decrease in high-energy phosphates and muscle temperature, together with a slight increase in creatine kinase and potassium in the systemic circulation. Normal blood reperfusion resulted in severe reperfusion injury: massive oedema developed, the tissue showed a marked decrease in oxygen consumption, glucose consumption. tissue ATP. total adenine nucleotides, muscle pH and total calcium in the femoral vein. Furthermore, a massive increase was seen in plasma creatine kinase concentration and potassium, together with the development of muscle rigidity. In sharp contrast, initial treatment of the ischaemic skeletal muscle by controlled limb reperfusion resulted in normal water content, oxygen consumption, glucose consumption, flow and muscle rigidity. Furthermore, controlled limb reperfusion resulted in higher total adenine nucleotides content. less tissue acidosis, markedly reduced creatine kinase release, and potassium release as compared with that of normal blood reperfusion. This study shows that 6 h of acute infrarenal aortic occlusion will result in severe reperfusion injury (postischaemic syndrome) if normal blood at systemic pressure is given in the initial reperfusion phase. In contrast, initial treatment of the ischaemic skeletal muscle by controlled limb reperfusion reduces the metabolic, functional and biochemical alterations.

Controlled limb reperfusion in patients having cardiac operations

HYPOTHESIS Severe limb ischemia in patients having cardiac operations may occur after intraaortic balloon pump insertion, prolonged femoral vessel cannulation, percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass, dissecting aneurysms, or emboli. Normal blood reperfusion can cause a postischemic syndrome that increases morbidity and mortality. This clinical study is based on an experimental infrastructure patterned after controlled cardiac reperfusion. (1) It tests the hypothesis that controlled limb reperfusion (i.e., modifying the composition of the initial reperfusate and the conditions of reperfusion) reduces the local and systemic complications seen after normal blood reperfusion. (2) It reports initial clinical application of this strategy in three cardiac surgery centers. METHODS Controlled limb reperfusion was applied to 19 patients with signs of severe prolonged unilateral or bilateral ischemia (including paralysis, anesthesia, and muscle contracture); six patients (32%) were in cardiogenic shock. The mean ischemic duration was 26 +/- 6 hours. The reperfusion method includes a 30-minute infusion into the distal vessels of a normothermic reperfusate solution mixed with the patients arterial blood (obtained proximal to the obstruction) in a 6:1 blood/reperfusate ratio. Data are mean +/- standard error of the mean. RESULTS Sixteen patients (84%) survived with salvaged and functional limbs at the time of discharge. No renal, cardiac, pulmonary, cerebral, or hemodynamic complications developed in the survivors. The three deaths occurred in patients undergoing controlled limb reperfusion while in profound postoperative cardiogenic shock; neither postischemic edema nor contracture developed in any of them. CONCLUSIONS These findings show that controlled limb reperfusion can be applied readily with standard equipment that is used for cardiac surgery and may salvage limbs while reducing postreperfusion morbidity and mortality.

New Surgical Treatment for Severe Limb Ischemia

Revascularization after prolonged complete limb ischemia may result in severe damage to skeletal muscle and systemic alterations (postischemic syndrome). Our previous experimental studies have shown that this injury can be reduced substantially by treating the jeopardized extremity by controlling the conditions of reperfusion and composition of the initial reperfusate. In the present study this concept of controlled limb reperfusion was applied in patients with prolonged severe limb ischemia. Controlled limb reperfusion was used in 14 patients after prolonged complete uni- or bilateral ischemia. The ischemic interval ranged from 5 to 21 h. Two patients were in cardiogenic shock, 11 had associated cardiac disease, and seven coexistent peripheral vascular disease. After systemic heparinization, standard thromboembolectomy was done using a Fogarty catheter. Cannulas were placed into the iliac, profunda, and superficial femoral arteries and were connected to a reperfusion set. Oxygenated blood was drawn from the iliac artery and mixed with an asanguineous solution (ratio 6:1). This controlled reperfusate was delivered into the profunda and superficial femoral arteries using a single rollerpump. The system allows control of the composition of the reperfusate (calcium, pH, osmolarity, glucose, substrate, pO2, free radical scavengers) and the conditions of reperfusion (pressure, flow, temperature). After 30 min of controlled limb reperfusion, the cannulas were removed and normal blood reperfusion started. All 12 patients who were stable hemodynamically before the operation survived the revascularization. Eleven patients, including one with acute aortic occlusion for several hours, were discharged with functional recovery of their extremities. Despite the severe ischemic insult, controlled limb reperfusion avoided amputation and profound systemic complications. Two patients who were in cardiogenic shock preoperatively died from progressive cardiac failure. We conclude that controlled arterioarterial limb reperfusion may reduce the local manifestations of the postischemic syndrome after prolonged periods of ischemia, may salvage limbs thought previously to be damaged irreversibly by prolonged ischemia, and can be done easily in the operating room.

Amplatzer occlusion of paravalvular leak of mitral mechanical prosthesis following a reoperation for thrombosed mitral mechanical prosthesis.

We describe a case of a 46-year-old woman with dehiscence and paravalvular leak of a second-time replaced mitral mechanical prosthesis, successfully treated with Amplatzer occlusion of the paravalvular leak, thus avoiding a second reoperation and improving the patients symptoms.

The influence of controlled limb reperfusion with PGE1 on reperfusion injury after prolonged ischemia.

BACKGROUND Controlled reperfusion of ischemic limbs has been found to be protective in limiting ischemia-reperfusion injury. We aimed to analyze local hemodynamic effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) administrated during controlled reperfusion in an in vivo setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four pigs underwent exposure of the infrarenal aorta and iliac vessels. Pigs were observed for 7.5 h without limb ischemia (group I). In the others, limb ischemia was produced by clamping the aorta for 6 h. Reperfusion was conducted in uncontrolled (group II), controlled (group III), and controlled fashion with addition of PGE1 (group IV) for the initial 30 min. We evaluated regional blood flow in the left common iliac artery, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, oxygen and glucose consumption, muscle adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and potassium levels in iliac vein. RESULTS Benefits after reperfusion were observed in group IV compared with group III regarding regional blood flow at 60 min (P < 0.01) and 90 min (P < 0.01), glucose consumption at 30 min, (P < 0.05) and potassium regulation at 30 (P < 0.05) and 90 min (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The addition of PGE1 to controlled reperfusion further reduces local hemodynamic effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury compared with standard controlled and uncontrolled reperfusion in an animal model.

Intramuscular cavernous hemangioma in the left soleus muscle: successful surgical treatment

We describe here the case of a 16-year-old boy successfully treated at our hospital for intramuscular cavernous hemangioma in the left soleus muscle. The patient was diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging and open biopsy after attempted/failed surgery at another institution. We performed lower leg phlebography in order to identify all the feeding and draining veins of the cavernous hemangioma. Our surgical approach of ligation of the feeding and draining veins of the intramuscular cavernous hemangioma with subsequent thrombosis of the hemangioma proved successful, resulting in cure with no operative or postoperative complications, a minimal hospital stay and a good functional and cosmetic outcome.