Mean arterial pressure in critically ill adults receiving vasopressors: Amulticentre, observational study.

Managing Septic Shock in Patients With Cirrhosis: The Role of Adrenal Insufficency

Critical care is an expensive and limited resource in the United States. Estimates from more than a decade ago suggest that over $100 billion a year is spent on critical care services.1 Over the past two decades, the number of patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) requiring critical care services has increased at a much higher rate than the growth in overall ED volume.2,3 The proportion of ED patients requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission has increased 75% over the first decade of the twenty-first century. In addition to the increase in the absolute number of patients requiring critical care admission, the ED length of stay for critically ill patients increased by 60 minutes. This resulted in a total nationwide increase in critical care provided in the ED by more than threefold. This disproportionate increase in critical care time reflects both the increase in critical care volume and the increase in ED boarding of critically ill patients. Data from 2008 reported the median boarding time for a patient waiting in the ED for an ICU bed was more than 5 hours, and 30% of patients waited more than 6 hours for an ICU bed.2,3 This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and prognosis of critically ill patients with sepsis combined with acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care unit (ICU) in Beijing, and to analyze the risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality among these critically ill patients. Data were collected from the Beijing AKI Trial (BAKIT) database, including 9 049 patients consecutively admitted to 30 ICUs in 28 tertiary hospitals in Beijing from March 1 to August 31, 2012. Patients were divided into non-AKI and non-sepsis group, AKI and non-sepsis group, non-AKI and sepsis group, AKI and sepsis group. Clinical data recorded included demographic characteristics, primary reasons for ICU admission, comorbidities, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II(APACHE II) within 24 hours of ICU admission, physiological and laboratory indexes, treatment in the ICU, AKI staging based on the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), as well as the prognostic indicators including length of stay in ICU, length of stay in hospital, ICU and in-hospital mortality. The primary endpoint was discharge or in-hospital death. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for hospital death in ICU patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn to analyze the cumulative survival of ICU patients during hospitalization. A total of 3 107 critically ill patients were ultimately enrolled, including 1 259 cases in the non-AKI and non-sepsis group, 931 cases in the AKI and non-sepsis group, 264 cases in the non-AKI and sepsis groups, and 653 cases in the AKI and sepsis group. Compared with the other three group, patients in the AKI and sepsis group were the oldest, had the lowest mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the highest APACHE II score, SOFA score, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels, and they also had the highest proportion of receiving mechanical ventilation, requiring vasopressor support, and undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT), all P < 0.01. Of these 3 107 patients, 1 584 (51.0%) were diagnosed with AKI, and the incidence of AKI in patients with sepsis was significantly higher than in those without sepsis [71.2% (653/917) vs. 42.5% (931/2 190), P < 0.01]. The highest proportion of KDIGO 0 stage was observed in the non-sepsis group (57.5%), while the highest proportion of KDIGO 3 stage was observed in the sepsis group (32.2%). Within the same KDIGO stage, the mortality of patients with sepsis was significantly higher than that of non-sepsis patients (0 stage: 17.8% vs. 3.1%, 1 stage: 36.3% vs. 7.4%, 2 stage: 42.7% vs. 17.1%, 3 stage: 54.6% vs. 28.6%, AKI: 46.1% vs. 14.2%). The ICU mortality (38.7%) and in-hospital mortality (46.1%) in the AKI and sepsis group were significantly higher than those in the other three groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curves further showed that the cumulative survival rate of patients with AKI and sepsis during hospitalization was significantly lower than that of the other three groups (53.9% vs. 96.9%, 85.8%, 82.2%, Log-Rank: χ 2 = 379.901, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that among surviving patients, length of ICU stay and total length of hospital stay were significantly longer in the AKI and sepsis group than those in the other three groups (both P < 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age, APACHE II score and SOFA score within 24 hours of ICU admission, coronary heart disease, AKI, sepsis, and AKI combined with sepsis were independent risk factors for ICU mortality in patients (all P < 0.05). After adjusting for covariates, AKI, sepsis, and sepsis combined with AKI were significantly associated with higher ICU and in-hospital mortality, with the highest ICU mortality [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 14.82, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 8.10-27.12; Hosmer-Lemeshow test: P = 0.816] and in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR = 7.40, 95%CI was 4.94-11.08; Hosmer-Lemeshow test: P = 0.708) observed in patients with sepsis combined with AKI. The incidence of AKI is high in sepsis patients, and those with both AKI and sepsis have a higher disease burden, more abnormalities in physiological and laboratory indicators, and significantly increased ICU and in-hospital mortality. Among surviving patients, the length of ICU stay and total length of hospital stay are also longer in the AKI and sepsis group. Age, APACHE II score and SOFA score within 24 hours of ICU admission, coronary heart disease, AKI, and sepsis are independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in ICU patients.

BackgroundHealthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) infection in intensive care unit (ICU) patients prolongs ICU stay and causes high mortality. Predicting HA-MRSA infection on admission can strengthen precautions against MRSA transmission. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors for HA-MRSA infection in an ICU from data obtained within 24 hours of patient ICU admission.MethodsWe prospectively studied HA-MRSA infection in 474 consecutive patients admitted for more than 2 days to our medical, surgical, and trauma ICU in a tertiary referral hospital in Japan. Data obtained from patients within 24 hours of ICU admission on 11 prognostic variables possibly related to outcome were evaluated to predict infection risk in the early phase of ICU stay. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for HA-MRSA infection.ResultsThirty patients (6.3%) had MRSA infection, and 444 patients (93.7%) were infection-free. Intubation, existence of open wound, treatment with antibiotics, and steroid administration, all occurring within 24 hours of ICU admission, were detected as independent prognostic indicators. Patients with intubation or open wound comprised 96.7% of MRSA-infected patients but only 57.4% of all patients admitted.ConclusionsFour prognostic variables were found to be risk factors for HA-MRSA infection in ICU: intubation, open wound, treatment with antibiotics, and steroid administration, all occurring within 24 hours of ICU admission. Preemptive infection control in patients with these risk factors might effectively decrease HA-MRSA infection.

[This corrects the article on p. 85 in vol. 78, PMID: 25861341.].

BackgroundIn sepsis patients, target mean arterial pressures (MAPs) greater than 65 mm Hg are recommended. However, there is no such recommendation for patients receiving mechanical ventilation. We aimed to evaluate the influence of MAP over the first 24 hours after intensive care unit (ICU) admission on the mortality rate at 60 days post-admission in patients showing acute hypoxemic respiratory failure under mechanical ventilation.MethodsThis prospective, multicenter study included 22 ICUs and compared the mortality and clinical outcomes in patients showing acute hypoxemic respiratory failure with high (75-90 mm Hg) and low (65-74.9 mm Hg) MAPs over the first 24 hours of admission to the ICU.ResultsOf the 844 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, 338 had a sustained MAP of 65-90 mm Hg over the first 24 hours of admission to the ICU. At 60 days, the mortality rates in the low (26.2%) and high (24.5%) MAP groups were not significantly different. The ICU days, hospital days, and 60-day mortality rate did not differ between the groups.ConclusionIn the first 24 hours of ICU admission, MAP range between 65 and 90 mm Hg in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure under mechanical ventilation may not cause significantly differences in 60-day mortality.

BackgroundSepsis is a globally recognized health issue that continues to contribute significantly to mortality and morbidity in intensive care units (ICUs). The association between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and prognosis among patients with patients is yet to be demonstrated.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the association between MAP and 28-day mortality in ICU patients with sepsis using data from a large, multicenter database.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study. We extracted data of 35,010 patients with sepsis from the MIMIC-IV (Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care) database between 2008 and 2019, according to the Sepsis 3.0 diagnostic criteria. The MAP was calculated as the average of the highest and lowest readings within the first 24 hours of ICU admission, and patients were divided into 4 groups based on the mean MAP, using the quadruple classification approach. Other worst-case indications from the first 24 hours of ICU admission, such as vital signs, severity of illness scores, laboratory indicators, and therapies, were also gathered as baseline data. The independent effects of MAP on 28-day mortality were explored using binary logistic regression and a two-piecewise linear model, with MAP as the exposure and 28-day mortality as the outcome variables, respectively. To address the nonlinearity relationship, curve fitting and a threshold effect analysis were performed.ResultsA total of 34,981 patients with sepsis were included in the final analysis, the mean age was 66.67 (SD 16.01) years, and the 28-day mortality rate was 16.27% (5691/34,981). The generalized additive model and smoothed curve fitting found a U-shaped relationship between MAP and 28-day mortality in these patients. The recursive algorithm determined the low and high inflection points as 70 mm and 82 mm Hg, respectively. Our data demonstrated that MAP was negatively associated with 28-day mortality in the range of 34.05 mm Hg-69.34 mm Hg (odds ratio [OR] 0.93, 95% CI 0.92-0.94; P<.001); however, once the MAP exceeded 82 mm Hg, a positive association existed between MAP and 28-day mortality of patients with sepsis (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.01-1.02, P=.002).ConclusionsThere is a U-shaped association between MAP and the probability of 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis. Both the lower and higher MAP were related with a higher risk of mortality in patients with sepsis. These patients have a decreased risk of mortality when their MAP remains between 70 and 82 mm Hg.

To explore the effect of goal-directed therapy bundle based on pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) parameters to the prevention and treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients after cardiopulmonary bypass cardiac operation. A prospective observational study was conducted. The adult patients with selective cardiopulmonary bypass cardiac operation admitted to the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu from December 2015 to January 2018 were enrolled. All patients were divided into two groups based on informed consent for PiCCO monitor at the time of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU): regular monitoring and treatment group (group A) and goal-directed therapy group based on PiCCO parameters (group B). In group A, the restrictive capacity management strategy was implemented to maintain the mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 65 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) and the central venous pressure (CVP) between 8 mmHg and 10 mmHg. In group B, volume and hemodynamic status were optimized depending on PiCCO parameters to a goal of cardiac index (CI) > 41.68 mL×s-1×m-2, global end diastolic volume index (GEDVI) > 700 mL/m2 or intrathoracic blood volume index (ITBVI) > 850 mL/m2, extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) < 10 mL/kg, and MAP > 65 mmHg. Then the changes in hemodynamics and different prognosis of the patients in two groups were observed. Risk factors affecting the AKI were analyzed by Logistic regression. 171 cases were included, with 68 in group A and 103 in group B. There were no significant differences in gender, age, pre-operative scores by European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroScore), operation ways, operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, intraoperative dominant liquid equilibrium quantity, the use of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) during operation, and serum creatinine (SCr) level at the time of admission to ICU between the two groups. There were no significant differences in CVP within 24 hours after admission to ICU between the two groups. MAP in group B was significantly higher than that in group A at 8 hours and 16 hours after ICU admission (mmHg: 68.9±6.3 vs. 66.7±5.1, 69.0±4.9 vs. 67.0±5.3, both P < 0.05). Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score in group B was significantly lower than that in group A at 24 hours after ICU admission (5.7±2.2 vs. 6.9±2.8, P < 0.05). Dominant liquid equilibrium quantity in group B was significant higher than that in group A at 24 hours after ICU admission (mL/kg: 7.1±6.2 vs. -0.1±8.2, P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference of that between groups at 48 hours and 72 hours after ICU admission. Compared with group A, incidence of combination with AKI during 72 hours after ICU admission was significantly decreased in group B [48.5% vs. 69.1%; odds ratio (OR) = 0.422, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.222-0.802, P < 0.05], and incidence of moderate to severe AKI was also significantly decreased in group B (19.4% vs. 35.3%; OR = 0.442, 95%CI = 0.220-0.887, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in usage of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) after ICU admission between both groups (group A was 4.4%, group B was 4.9%, P > 0.05). It was shown by correlation analysis that only MAP and CI at 8 hours after ICU admission were significantly negatively correlated with AKI (MAP and AKI: r = -0.697, P = 0.000; CI and AKI: r = -0.664, P = 0.000). It was shown by Logistic regressive analysis that the MAP and CI at 8 hours after ICU admission were independent risk factors that influence the incidence of AKI at 72 hours after ICU admission (MAP: OR = 0.736, 95%CI = 0.636-0.851, P = 0.000; CI: OR = 0.006, 95%CI = 0.001-0.063, P = 0.000). There were no significant differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of ICU stay, the post-operation complications (except AKI), 7-day and 28-day mortality between the two groups. Goal-directed therapy bundle based on PiCCO parameters reduced the incidence of AKI in patients after cardiopulmonary bypass cardiac operation and improved the severity of systemic disease. However, it did not reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, the incidence of complications (except AKI), short-term mortality. The MAP and CI at 8 hours after ICU admission were independent risk factors that influence the incidence of AKI in patients after cardiopulmonary bypass cardiac operation.

Rationale The only meta−analysis (MA) of early EN in ICU patients, published in 2003, fails to demonstrate a significant reduction in mortality however it includes trials with major methodological flaws. The purpose of this project was to assess the impact of early EN on ICU patient outcomes, by conducting an MA that excludes trials with major flaws. Methods A sensitive Medline and EMBASE search was conducted using appropriate Medical Subject Heading terms. No restrictions were placed on language. Reference lists were hand searched and experts contacted. Early EN was defined as commencing within 24 hours of ICU admission or injury. Standard care was defined as the provision of any nutritional support more than 24 hours after ICU admission. Only trials conducted in ICU populations, that delivered non−immune enhanced EN, were included. Trials with major flaws (pseudo−randomised or excessive loss to follow up) were excluded. Results 665 papers were retrieved for detailed review. 8 trials containing 296 patients met the full inclusion criteria. Of the 8 trials, 0 reported maintaining allocation concealment; 0 reported using some form of blinding; and 7 reported use of an intention−to−treat analysis. Provision of early EN demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in mortality (OR=0.43 95%CI 0.19−0.96, I=0% p=0.04) and a trend towards a reduction of pneumonia (OR=0.47 95%CI 0.21−1.05, I=10.7% p=0.07) compared to standard care. Conclusions Up to 40% of patients who are eligible for early EN are not fed within 48 hours of ICU admission. This MA provides persuasive evidence that the delivery of EN within 24 hours of ICU admission significantly reduces mortality by up to 5%. An identified barrier to early EN is fear of aspiration and development of pneumonia. This MA shows a trend toward a reduction in pneumonia with early EN.

Objectives The objective of the current study was to investigate the relationship between changes in vital signs and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Windsor Regional Hospital treats 15–20 new patients a year with acute leukemia. These patients are at increased risk of neutropenic fevers and admission to the ICU following induction chemotherapy. Methods Retrospective review examined the correlation between acute leukemia patient vitals and ICU admission. The analysis included 37 patients: 7 ICU versus 30 controls. Changes were compared to baseline over 24 hours prior to ICU admission or 5 days after the initiation of induction chemotherapy in the following vital signs: heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), temperature (T), respiratory rate (RR), and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) required to maintain a stable oxygen saturation. Results RR and FiO2 demonstrated significant change over baseline leading up to ICU admission within the ICU group. T, HR and MAP did not demonstrate significant changes over time in either group. RR, FiO2 and HR were significantly higher in the ICU group at time zero compared with the control group. RR was recorded least frequently in the 24 hours leading up to ICU admission. Discussion Changes in RR and FiO2 predicted clinical deterioration requiring ICU admission in acute leukemia patients. This is consistent with the predominant reason for ICU admission which was respiratory failure. Conclusion We present preliminary evidence to support enhanced monitoring of RR and FiO2 in acute leukemia patients following induction chemotherapy with early intervention if identified.

Introduction: The choice of resuscitation fluid remains debated for patients with septic shock. Patients with cirrhosis may benefit from albumin administration due to diminished endogenous production, reduced baseline blood pressures, and an impaired immune response. We hypothesized that receiving albumin as part of initial fluid resuscitation would improve the clinical outcomes of patients with cirrhosis and septic shock. Methods: This was a single center retrospective cohort study of adults with cirrhosis admitted for septic shock to the intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2007 to May 2017. Patients were stratified based on albumin administration within six hours of ICU admission. The primary outcome was percent shock-free time during ICU admission, with shock reversal time being discontinuation of all intravenous vasopressors for at least 24 hours. Results: Albumin was administered within the first six hours of ICU admission for 93 of the 148 patients (63%). The albumin group and non-albumin group had a similar percent shock-free time during ICU admission (37% vs. 41%, p = 0.33), which remained insignificant in a multivariable model (p = 0.98). Younger age, lower ICU admit SOFA score, and higher ICU admit hemoglobin were associated with improved percent shock-free time in the ICU. The total vasopressor dose in norepinephrine equivalents during ICU stay was higher in the albumin group (42.1 vs. 15.4 mg, p = 0.004). Mortality within 28 days of ICU admission (60% vs. 41%, p = 0.044) was higher in the albumin group, but mortality during ICU stay was similar (30% vs. 20%, p = 0.18). No differences were observed in the need for renal replacement therapy or mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: Albumin administration within the first six hours of ICU admission was not associated with improved shock-free time in the ICU, ICU mortality, or clinical outcomes of organ dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis and septic shock. Patients in the albumin group may have had greater severity of illness or refractory shock, reflected by the significantly higher vasopressor requirements, and been more likely to receive albumin. Further study is needed to assess the impact of albumin on clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and septic shock.

Refractory shock, which fails to respond to conventional vasopressor therapy, is a common complication of sepsis. Methylene blue has emerged as a potential adjunctive treatment option for reversing refractory shock in sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of intravenous methylene blue infusion on hemodynamic improvement and mortality in patients with refractory shock. This was an observational prospective study for the duration of six months conducted at intensive care a medical college and teaching hospital including 76 patients with a diagnosis of septic shock requiring vasopressor therapy. Intravenous (IV) methylene blue was infused as a bolus dose with 2 mg/kg dose in 20 minutes and its response to mean arterial blood pressure, decrease in vasopressor therapy, lactate level, and urine output was recorded in next 2 hours. Patients with improvement in mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 10% or decrease in vasopressor therapy in the next 2 hours were leveled as responder. The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), and mortality were compared between responder and non-responder. A total of 76 patients with refractory shock were included in the study. With the use of IV methylene blue, 41 (53.9%) patients showed significant improvement in MAP within 2 hours (70.17 ± 8.30 vs 64.28 ± 11.84, p = 0.005). Responders were 4.019 times more likely to have vasopressor-free time within 24 hours (18.4% vs 5.3%, p = 0.020, odds ratio 4.019, 95% confidence interval, 1.180-13.682). However, there was no significant difference in terms of mortality, length of ICU stay, ventilator free days, and incidence of AKI. In the responder group, there was a significant increase in the MAP and decrease in vasopressor requirement pre- and post-infusion of methylene blue (p < 0.05). Responder had shorter vasopressor-free days as compared with non-responder (5.34 vs 6.79, p = 0.008) while the mean survival time was longer with responders (21.97 vs 15.93 days, p = 0.024). The use of IV methylene blue in refractory shock as an adjuvant therapy significantly improved the mean arterial blood pressure and decreased the requirement of vasopressor therapy as well as improvement in the survival time. However, there was no change in the mortality, length of ICU stay, ventilator-free days, or incidence of AKI in the patients. Rajbanshi LK, Bajracharya A, Arjyal B, Devkota D. Can Use of Intravenous Methylene Blue Improve the Hemodynamics and Outcome of the Patients with Refractory Septic Shock? An Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(9):669-674.

BackgroundThe optimal approach to titrate vasopressor therapy is unclear. Recent sepsis guidelines recommend a mean arterial pressure (MAP) target of 65 mmHg and higher for chronic hypertensive patients. As data emerge from clinical trials comparing blood pressure targets for vasopressor therapy, an accurate description of usual care is required to interpret study results. Our aim was to measure MAP values during vasopressor therapy in Canadian intensive care units (ICUs) and to compare these with stated practices and guidelines.MethodIn a multicenter prospective cohort study of critically ill adults with severe hypotension, we recorded MAP and vasopressor doses hourly. We investigated variability across patients and centres using multivariable regression models and Analysis of variance (ANOVA), respectively.ResultsWe included data from 56 patients treated in 6 centers. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score were 64 (14) and 25 (8). Half (28 of 56) of the patients were at least 65 years old, and half had chronic hypertension. The patient-averaged MAP while receiving vasopressors was 75 mm Hg (6) and the median (1st quartile, 3rd quartile) duration of vasopressor therapy was 43 hours (23, 84). MAP achieved was not associated with history of underlying hypertension (p = 0.46) but did vary by center (p<0.001).ConclusionsIn this multicenter, prospective observational study, the patient-level average MAP while receiving vasopressors for severe hypotension was 75 mmHg, approximately 10 mmHg above current recommendations and stated practices. Moreover, our results do not support the notion that clinicians tailor vasopressor therapy to individual patient characteristics such as underlying chronic hypertension but MAP achieved while receiving vasopressors varied by site.

To investigate the value of employing pulse indicator continuous cardiac output ( PiCCO ) for cardiac function monitoring in patients with severe septic shock. A prospective observation was conducted. Thirty-six septic shock patients in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Peking University Third Hospital admitted from August 2011 to December 2013 were enrolled. According to the degree of severity, the patients were divided into PiCCO monitor group and routine monitor group. The PiCCO monitor provided a continuous assessment of fluid resuscitation, vasopressors and inotropes infusion in the patients with severe septic shock. The following cardiac function parameters were assessed in severe septic shock patients on the 1st and 3rd day after intensive care unit ( ICU ) admission: cardiac index ( CI ), global ejection fraction ( GEF ), rate of left ventricular pressure increase ( dp/dt max ), echocardiography, and blood troponin T ( TNT ) and B-type natriuretic peptide ( BNP ). The central venous pressure ( CVP ), mean arterial pressure ( MAP ) and the time reaching their standard values, and the norepinephrine dosage and 3-day fluid balance in severe septic shock patients were compared between milrinone and non-milrinone usage groups. The severity degree and outcome were compared between PiCCO monitor group and routine monitor group. There were 15 patients in PiCCO monitor group and 21 in routine monitor group among 36 septic shock patients. (1) In 15 patients with PiCCO monitoring, the patients with decreased CI, GEF, and dp/dt max accounted for 40.0%, 93.3%, and 33.3% at 1 day after ICU admission, and accounted for 60.0%, 93.3%, and 60.0% at 3 days after ICU admission, and it showed that CI, GEF, and dp/dt max was not improved at 3 days after ICU admission. Echocardiography showed that 35.7% patients had lower left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF ) at 1 day after ICU admission, 71.4% and 71.4% of patients, respectively, had lower early diastolic mitral flow velocity/early diastolic myocardial velocity ( E/Em ) and early diastolic mitral flow velocity/end diastolic mitral flow velocity ( E/A ). Three days after ICU admission, 80% of patients with low LVEF value turned to normal, and diastolic dysfunction was ameliorated in 50% patients. At 1 day after ICU admission, higher TNT was found in 92.9% of patients, higher BNP in 100% of patients, and 3 days after ICU admission, 71.4% and 78.6% patients showed a decrease in TNT and BNP, respectively. (2) In PiCCO monitor group, there were no significant differences in initial CVP, MAP and their time reaching standard values, norepinephrine dosage between milrinone group ( n = 8 ) and non-milrinone group ( n = 7 ). However, 3-day intake of liquid in milrinone group was significantly higher than that in non-milrinone group ( mL: 8 324±3 962 vs. 4 372±2 081, t = -2.362, P = 0.034 ). (3) Compared with routine monitor group, there was a significant elevation in acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II ( APACHEII) score, sequential organ failure assessment ( SOFA ) score, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay and 28-day hospital mortality in PiCCO monitor group [ APACHEII score: 20.67±6.15 vs. 14.71±4.67, t = -3.304, P = 0.002; SOFA score: 9.53±3.00 vs. 7.52±1.97, t = -2.433, P = 0.020; duration of mechanical ventilation ( hours ): 132 ( 54-310 ) vs. 63 ( 14-284 ), Z = -2.295, P = 0.022; length of ICU stay ( days ): 7 ( 4-15 ) vs. 5 ( 1-14 ), Z = -2.360, P = 0.018; 28-day hospital mortality: 26.7% vs. 0, P = 0.023 ]. With the use of the PiCCO hemodynamic monitoring in patients with severe septic shock, more comprehensive values of blood volume, systemic vascular resistance and cardiac function can be obtained for guiding fluid resuscitation and selection of vasopressor and inotropic drugs.

Extreme intraoperative blood loss and hemodilution in a Jehovah's Witness: new aspects in postoperative management.