Intermediate Intensive Care Research Articles

Perceptions and actions of healthcare professionals regarding the mother-child relationship with premature babies in an intermediate neonatal intensive care unit: a qualitative study.

BackgroundThe mother-child interaction after delivery may be hampered when the newborn baby is hospitalized. The objective of the study was to understand perceptions and actions of healthcare professionals (HCPs), working in an intermediate neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), regarding mother-child relationship of hospitalized premature babies in the first weeks after delivery and the professionals’ support for the development of this relationship within an NICU environment. The psychoanalytic concept of holding defined by Winnicott was used as the theoretical framework.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted with 20 HCPs (physicians, medical residents, nurses, and nurse technicians) working at an intermediate NICU of a referral hospital in Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded and transcribed verbatim; and thematic analysis was performed.ResultsThe HCPs referred to the difficulty that these mothers had to develop the mother-child relationship within this environment. If they observed that the mother had initial inhibitions to interact with her baby, they tried to facilitate this process, since they were aware of the importance of early bonding for the child’s well-being. They attributed the mothers’ difficulty to the fragile appearance of the premature baby, the limited contact often imposed by the routine of the unit and the lack of participation in the decisions regarding the care given to her baby. HCPs tried to help women bond with her child by giving support and encouragement. Most of the physicians reported that the nurses represented a link between physicians and the mothers of the hospitalized babies.ConclusionThe HCPs reported attitudes and actions indicative of holding. A more in-depth understanding of the relationship between HCPs and mothers of premature babies at an NICU during the first days after delivery, and the needs of the mothers and her baby to be close to facilitate bonding should be part of the routine discussions of the NICU health team.

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Introduction: High mortality associated with pulmonary embolism (PE) leads to increased concern when evaluating patients complaining of chest pain or shortness of breath in the emergency department (ED). Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the test of choice for PE and is frequently employed in the ED. Our study aimed to determine how often CTPA is positive for PE, and the ultimate disposition and discharge diagnosis for patients evaluated for PE. Hypothesis: Though patients diagnosed with PE commonly need higher levels of care (intermediate care unit or intensive care unit), there is a low overall diagnostic yield for PE using CTPA, and a majority of patients are admitted with non-specific findings. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive ED patients (January-June 2010) evaluated for PE in the ED using CTPA. Charts were reviewed to gather the presenting complaint, ED disposition (home vs. floor vs. higher level of care), and length of stay (LOS) for patients admitted to the hospital. For patients admitted despite a negative CTPA, we obtained final discharge diagnoses based on ICD-9 codes and physician dictations. Results: The cohort included 776 subjects (mean age 50 + 16.5 years; female 71.6%). CTPA was positive for PE in 6.6%. Of patients diagnosed with PE, 94.1% were admitted; 20.9% to a higher level of care, and 5.9% diagnosed with a PE died. All deaths occurred either in the ED or the intensive care unit (ICU); 20% of patients with PE admitted to the ICU died. The majority of patients with PE (79.1%) were admitted to the floor with average LOS 5.4 days. Despite a negative CTPA, 304 patients were admitted to the hospital; 5.3% to a higher level of care and 1.6% died. The most common admission diagnosis was non-specific chest pain (44.7%) and of these 68.4% were discharged with a similar diagnosis of “chest pain NOS”. Average LOS for patients admitted with chest pain was 1.9 days. Conclusions: The diagnostic yield of CTPA used in the ED for PE is low. Patients diagnosed with PE often need higher levels of care and have higher mortality, but the majority of patients without PE are admitted and discharged with non-specific findings after negative CTPA.

Decreased Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Restriction of Ciprofloxacin in a Large Teaching Hospital's Intensive Care and Intermediate Care Units

To examine the effect of restricting ciprofloxacin on the resistance of nosocomial gram-negative bacilli, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to antipseudomonal carbapenems. Interrupted time-series analysis. Tertiary care teaching hospital with 11 intensive care and intermediate care units with a total of 295 beds. All nosocomial isolates of P. aeruginosa. Restriction of ciprofloxacin. There was a significant decreasing trend observed in the percentage (P = .0351) and the rate (P = .0006) of isolates of P. aeruginosa that were resistant to antipseudomonal carbapenems following the restriction of ciprofloxacin. There was also a significant decreasing trend observed in the percentage (P = .0017) and the rate (P = .0001) of isolates of ciprofloxacin-resistant P. aeruginosa. The rate of cefepime-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates declined (P = .004) but the percentage of cefepime-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates did not change. There were no significant changes observed in the rate or the percentage of piperacillin-tazobactam-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. There were no significant changes observed in the susceptibilities of nosocomial Enterobacteriaciae or Acinetobacter baumannii isolates that were resistant to carbapenems. Over the study period there was a significant increase in the use of carbapenems (P = .0134); the use of ciprofloxacin decreased significantly (P = .0027). There were no significant changes in the use of piperacillin-tazobactam or cefepime. Restriction of ciprofloxacin was associated with a decreased resistance of P. aeruginosa isolates to antipseudomonal carbapenems and ciprofloxacin in our hospital's intermediate care and intensive care units. There were no changes observed in the susceptibilities of nosocomial Enterobacteriaciae or A. baumannii to carbapenems, despite increased carbapenem use. Reducing ciprofloxacin use may be a means of controlling multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa.

Small-bore catheter versus chest tube drainage for pneumothorax

Study ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of drainage via a single-lumen (5F catheter) central venous catheter (CVC) to a conventional (14-20F catheter) chest tube (CT) for the management of pneumothoraces, including primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP), and traumatic and iatrogenic pneumothoraces. PatientsAll consecutive patients admitted to the intermediate intensive care unit of a university hospital for pneumothorax were retrospectively screened over an 8-year period. Patients were preferentially treated using CT from 2003 to 2007 and using CVC from 2008 to 2010. Drainage failure was defined as the need for a second drainage procedure or for surgery. ResultsOf 212 patients included, 117 (55%) had PSP, 28 (13%) had SSP associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 19 (9%) had traumatic pneumothorax, and 48 (23%) had iatrogenic pneumothorax. The failure rate was 23% in PSP, 36% in SSP, 16% in traumatic pneumothorax, and only 2% in iatrogenic pneumothorax. After adjustment, iatrogenic pneumothorax was the only factor that had an influence on drainage failure. The failure rate was similar between the 112 patients treated using CVC and the 100 patients treated using CT (18% vs 21%, P = .60). However, the durations of drainage (3.3 ± 1.9 vs 4.6 ± 2.6 days, P < .01) and of hospital stay were significantly shorter in patients treated using CVC as compared with CT. ConclusionOur findings suggest that drainage via a catheter or via a CT is similarly effective in the management of pneumothorax. We recommend considering drainage via a small-bore catheter as a first-line treatment in patients with pneumothorax, whatever its cause.

Increased Number and Expertise of Italian Respiratory High-Dependency Care Units: The Second National Survey

The imbalance between the increasing prevalence of acutely decompensated respiratory diseases and the shortage of intensive care unit beds has stimulated the growth of respiratory high-dependence care units (RHDCUs). We conducted a national survey to analyze the changes, in the past 10 years, in the number, structures, staff, procedures, diagnoses, and outcomes in Italian RHDCUs that satisfy the European Respiratory Society's criteria (modified according to the Italian Association of Hospital Pneumologists) for high level (respiratory intensive care unit), intermediate level (respiratory intermediate intensive care unit), and low level (respiratory monitoring unit) RHDCU care. The number of RHDCUs increased from 26 to 44. The relative prevalence among all the RHDCUs increased only for the low-level units (P = .03). Compared to 1997, in 2007 a higher percentage of Italian RHDCUs were located within respiratory wards than located outside of respiratory wards (P = .03), and the physician-to-patient mean ratio and the nurse-to-patient mean ratio per shift were lower (P = .001 and P = .002, respectively). Admissions for only monitoring decreased (P < .001), and admissions for active interventions increased: noninvasive ventilation (P = .002), invasive ventilation (P < .001), weaning from invasive ventilation (P < .001), and tracheal decannulation (P < .001). The complexity of RHDCU patients' conditions increased: there was a reduction in the percentage of COPD patients (P < .001) and an increase in the percentage of patients with neuromyopathies (P < .001) and de novo hypoxemia (P = .006). Between 1997 and 2007 there was an increase in the number and expertise of Italian RHDCUs, with a shift toward less expensive care, and greater complexity of interventions and patient dysfunctions. These findings support the crucial role of RHDCUs in the management of respiratory critical patients.

The role of the post-anaesthesia care unit in the management of high-risk obstetric patients

IntroductionHigh-risk obstetric patients in the immediate postpartum period are frequently admitted to the intensive care unit, but the necessity of this practice has recently been doubted. Herein we describe the efficiency of utilizing the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) as an intermediate intensive care facility for those patients.Material and methodsWe retrospectively described the reasons for admission, duration of stay, the anaesthetic used, main interventions and outcome for all obstetric admissions in the PACU during a period of 4 years in a university hospital.ResultsDuring the 4-year period 47 women were admitted to the PACU after delivery. The frequency of admission to the PACU was 15.3 per 1000 deliveries, while obstetric cases represented 4.4 per 1000 admissions to the PACU. The majority represented caesarean sections (81%). The main reasons for admission to the PACU were haemorrhage (49%), cardiovascular problems (19%) and preeclampsia/eclampsia (17%). Mean length of stay in the PACU was 14.5 ±11.6 h, being significantly less in women having received epidural anaesthesia (8.2 ±5.6 h) compared to those who delivered with general anaesthesia (19.0 ±13.6 h, p < 0.05). General anaesthesia was used in 85% of cases in which emergency delivery was indicated, but only in 27% of cases without emergency indications for delivery (p < 0.01). No death or admission to the intensive care unit occurred during the study period.ConclusionsThe PACU can offer an intermediate intensive care facility for high-risk obstetric patients, thus reducing unnecessary admissions to the intensive care unit.

Cardiac toxicity of sunitinib and sorafenib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Schmidinger M, Zielinski CC, Vogl UM, Bojic A, Bojic M, Schukro C, Ruhsam M, Hejna M, Schmidinger H, Clinical Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I and Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Sunitinib and sorafenib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that have considerable efficacy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. TKI-associated cardiotoxicity was reported in approximately 10% of the patients. Detailed cardiovascular monitoring during TKI treatment may reveal early signs of myocardial damage. In this observational, single-center study, all patients intended for TKI treatment were analyzed for coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, history or evidence of CAD, hypertension, rhythm disturbances, and heart failure. Monitoring included assessment of symptoms, ECGs, and biochemical markers (i.e., creatine kinase-MB, troponin T). Echocardiography was performed at baseline in selected patients and in all patients who experienced a cardiac event. A cardiac event was defined as the occurrence of increased enzymes if normal at baseline, symptomatic arrhythmia that required treatment, new left ventricular dysfunction, or acute coronary syndrome. A total of 86 patients were treated with either sunitinib or sorafenib. Among 74 eligible patients, 33.8% experienced a cardiac event, 40.5% had ECG changes, and 18% were symptomatic. Seven patients (9.4%) were seriously compromised and required intermediate care and/or intensive care admission. All patients recovered after cardiovascular management (i.e., medication, coronary angiography, pacemaker implantation, heart surgery) and were considered eligible for TKI continuation. Statistically, there was no significant survival difference between patients who experienced a cardiac event and those who did not experience a cardiac event. Our observations indicate that cardiac damage from TKI treatment is a largely underestimated phenomenon but is manageable if patients have careful cardiovascular monitoring and cardiac treatment at the first signs of myocardial damage.

Prospective Population-based Study of RSV-related Intermediate Care and Intensive Care Unit Admissions in Switzerland over a 4-Year Period (2001–2005)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are a leading cause of hospital admissions in small children. A substantial proportion of these patients require medical and nursing care, which can only be provided in intermediate (IMC) or intensive care units (ICU). This article reports on all children aged < 3 years who required admission to IMC and/or ICU between October 1, 2001 and September 30, 2005 in Switzerland. We prospectively collected data on all children aged < 3 years who were admitted to an IMC or ICU for an RSV-related illness. Using a detailed questionnaire, we collected information on risk factors, therapy requirements, length of stay in the IMC/ICU and hospital, and outcome. Of the 577 cases reported during the study period, 90 were excluded because the patients did not fulfill the inclusion criteria; data were incomplete in another 25 cases (5%). Therefore, a total of 462 verified cases were eligible for analysis. At the time of hospital admission, only 31 patients (11%) were older than 12 months. Since RSV infection was not the main reason for IMC/ICU admission in 52% of these patients, we chose to exclude this subgroup from further analyses. Among the 431 infants aged < 12 months, the majority (77%) were former near term or full term (NT/FT) infants with a gestational age > or = 35 weeks without additional risk factors who were hospitalized at a median age of 1.5 months. Gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and congenital heart disease (CHD) were all associated with a significant risk increase for IMC/ICU admission (relative risk 14, 56, and 10, for GA < or = 32 weeks, BPD, and CHD, respectively). Compared with NT/FT infants, high-risk infants were hospitalized at an older age (except for infants with CHD), required more invasive and longer respiratory support, and had longer stays in the IMC/ICU and hospital. In Switzerland, RSV infections lead to the IMC/ICU admission of approximately 1%-2% of each annual birth cohort. Although prematurity, BPD, and CHD are significant risk factors, non-pharmacological preventive strategies should not be restricted to these high-risk patients but also target young NT/FT infants since they constitute 77% of infants requiring IMC/ICU admission.

Iron lung versus mask ventilation in acute exacerbation of COPD: a randomised crossover study

To compare iron lung (ILV) versus mask ventilation (NPPV) in the treatment of COPD patients with acute on chronic respiratory failure (ACRF). Randomised multicentre study. Respiratory intermediate intensive care units very skilled in ILV. A total of 141 patients met the inclusion criteria and were assigned: 70 to ILV and 71 to NPPV. To establish the failure of the technique employed as first line major and minor criteria for endotracheal intubation (EI) were used. With major criteria EI was promptly established. With at least two minor criteria patients were shifted from one technique to the other. On admission, PaO(2)/FiO(2), 198 (70) and 187 (64), PaCO(2), 90.5 (14.1) and 88.7 (13.5) mmHg, and pH 7.25 (0.04) and 7.25 (0.05), were similar for ILV and NPPV groups. When used as first line, the success of ILV (87%) was significantly greater (P = 0.01) than NPPV (68%), due to the number of patients that met minor criteria for EI; after the shift of the techniques; however, the need of EI and hospital mortality was similar in both groups. The total rate of success using both techniques increased from 77.3 to 87.9% (P = 0.028). The sequential use of NPPV and ILV avoided EI in a large percentage of COPD patients with ACRF; ILV was more effective than NPPV on the basis of minor criteria for EI but after the crossover the need of EI on the basis of major criteria and mortality was similar in both groups of patients.

Cardiac Toxicity of Sunitinib and Sorafenib in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Sunitinib and sorafenib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that have considerable efficacy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. TKI-associated cardiotoxicity was reported in approximately 10% of the patients. Detailed cardiovascular monitoring during TKI treatment may reveal early signs of myocardial damage. In this observational, single-center study, all patients intended for TKI treatment were analyzed for coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, history or evidence of CAD, hypertension, rhythm disturbances, and heart failure. Monitoring included assessment of symptoms, ECGs, and biochemical markers (ie, creatine kinase-MB, troponin T). Echocardiography was performed at baseline in selected patients and in all patients who experienced a cardiac event. A cardiac event was defined as the occurrence of increased enzymes if normal at baseline, symptomatic arrhythmia that required treatment, new left ventricular dysfunction, or acute coronary syndrome. A total of 86 patients were treated with either sunitinib or sorafenib. Among 74 eligible patients, 33.8% experienced a cardiac event, 40.5% had ECG changes, and 18% were symptomatic. Seven patients (9.4%) were seriously compromised and required intermediate care and/or intensive care admission. All patients recovered after cardiovascular management (ie, medication, coronary angiography, pacemaker implantation, heart surgery) and were considered eligible for TKI continuation. Statistically, there was no significant survival difference between patients who experienced a cardiac event and those who did not experience a cardiac event. Our observations indicate that cardiac damage from TKI treatment is a largely underestimated phenomenon but is manageable if patients have careful cardiovascular monitoring and cardiac treatment at the first signs of myocardial damage.

Clinical Characteristics of Nosocomial Rotavirus Infection in Children in Taiwan

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and clinical characteristics of nosocomial rotavirus infection (NRI) among hospitalized children. We collected data of children in the Department of Pediatrics with positive stool rotavirus antigen tests. Cases of an admission diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis or a positive stool rotavirus antigen test within 3 days of admission, representing community-acquired infections, were excluded. Both VP4 and VP7 genotyping of the rotaviruses was done. There were 98 patients who met the inclusion criteria during the 3-year period. The incidence density was 0.58 per 1000 patient-days in our series. Among these patients, 59 (60%) had underlying diseases. The intermediate intensive care unit had the highest incidence density (2.8 per 1000 patient-days). Overcrowding of the care unit, inappropriate hand hygiene, and inadequate isolation and cohorting predisposed to the high rate. Genotypes among 79 (80%) rotaviruses tested showed that 42% belonged to the novel genotype, G9P[8]. NRI may cause significant morbidity in hospitalized children, especially young infants and those with underlying diseases. Infection control with hospital surveillance, strict isolation and cohort care should be adopted to prevent the spread of rotavirus among special care units.

Early treatment of imported falciparum malaria in the intermediate and intensive care unit setting: an 8-year single-center retrospective study.

IntroductionImported falciparum malaria is characterized by a broad spectrum of potentially life-threatening complications that may arise even after initiation of appropriate antimalarial drug therapy. Hence, at Heidelberg University Hospital, all patients with newly diagnosed falciparum malaria are initially treated in the intermediate care unit (IMC) or intensive care unit (ICU). The present study was undertaken to evaluate critically the benefit of this strategy, which includes daily consultation with senior specialists in tropical medicine.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study at the 14-bed combined IMC/ICU of a 1,685-bed university hospital. A cohort of 122 patients with imported falciparum malaria admitted from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 2003 was included.ResultsThirty-four patients (27.9%) developed complications, defined according to the current World Health Organization classification. Most patients (80.3%) studied did not take the recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria. The majority of patients (89.3% [n = 109]) could be adequately treated in the IMC. Life-threatening complications requiring ICU support occurred in 13 patients (10.7%). All complications were successfully managed. Fifty-five patients (45.1%) fulfilling recently published criteria for outpatient treatment had an excellent therapeutic response and did not require ICU support.ConclusionThis retrospective evaluation demonstrated favourable therapeutic results in hospitalized patients with imported falciparum malaria. Both initial treatment in the medical IMC/ICU and close collaboration between intensivists and specialists in tropical medicine may improve disease outcome among affected patients. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

Cryptogenic Hemoptysis

Data on hemoptysis of unknown origin (i.e., "cryptogenic") are scarce and the outcome of patients affected is controversial. To describe the clinical spectrum and course of patients with cryptogenic hemoptysis, as well as pathologic findings when surgery is performed. A cohort of 81 patients referred for cryptogenic hemoptysis after clinical evaluation, chest radiography, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and computed tomographic scan to a respiratory intermediate care and intensive care unit, from December 1995 to August 2004, with a prospective follow-up by visit or telephone interview. The 81 patients (69 males) had a mean cumulative volume of hemoptysis averaging 190 ml on admission. First-line conservative measures and bronchial artery embolization controlled hemoptysis in 73 patients (90%). Emergency surgery was performed in six patients (7%) because of failure of bronchial artery embolization, and secondary surgery was scheduled in a seventh patient. A total of 73 patients were followed for a mean of 47 (+/- 35) months. No lung cancer developed. Hemoptysis recurred in 10 patients (4 within the first year; 6 between 1 and 8 yr later), 2 of whom underwent surgery. A specific bronchial vascular involvement (Dieulafoy disease) was demonstrated in five of the nine patients who had undergone surgery, especially in those with high amounts of bleeding. Cryptogenic hemoptysis may be a life-threatening condition. Nonsurgical approaches provide immediate control of bleeding in most patients with cryptogenic hemoptysis, with few recurrences in both short and long terms. Dieulafoy disease of the bronchus, unsuspected after routine imaging investigations, may be involved in a subset of patients yet to be determined.

Estudio multicéntrico de factores pronósticos en adultos hospitalizados por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad

Severity assessment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients allows the clinician to decide the place of management and guide empirical antimicrobial treatment. To assess admission prognostic factors and outcome of CAP in immunocompetent adult patients hospitalized in 21 medical centers in Chile. Prospective evaluation of non immunocompromised adults with CAP admitted to 21 Chilean hospitals between July and August, 1999. All patients were assessed on admission and followed until discharge or death. During the study period, 1,194 patients (aged 68+/-17 years, 573 males) were evaluated. Seventy two percent had an underlying disease (especially chronic cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus), and 90% were treated with beta-lactamic agents (especially a third generation cephalosporin or penicillin). Mean hospital length of stay was 11+/-9 days, 10% were admitted to Intermediate Care or Intensive Care Units (ICU), 6% were mechanically ventilated and in-hospital mortality was 15.7%. Admission prognostic factors associated with hospital mortality were: advanced age, male gender, presence of comorbidity (chronic cardiovascular, renal, neurological and hepatic disease), undernutrition, suspicion of aspiration, altered mental status, low blood pressure, tachypnea, absence of fever, high blood urea nitrogen, multilobar radiographic pulmonary infiltrates, high risk categories from Chilean Respiratory Diseases Society Consensus, admission to Intermediate Care Units or ICU, and mechanical ventilation. In the multivariate analysis, prognostic factors associated with high hospital mortality were: mental confusion, high blood urea nitrogen, multilobar pneumonia, presence of comorbidity and absence of fever on admission. These results validate in Chile, findings from foreign studies.

Effects of acupressure therapy for patients having prolonged mechanical ventilation support

This paper reports an investigation of the effects of acupressure therapy on dyspnoea, anxiety and physiological indicators of heart rate and respiratory rate in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease having mechanical ventilation support. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are using mechanical ventilation often experience dyspnoea and anxiety, which affects successful ventilator use. The study had an experimental blocking design, using sex, age and length of ventilator use as a blocking factor. Qualified patients in two intermediate respiratory intensive care units were randomly assigned to an acupressure group and a comparison group. A total of 52 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in northern Taiwan participated. Those in the experimental group received daily acupressure therapy and massage treatment for 10 days. Patients in the comparison group received massage treatment and handholding. The primary outcome measures were the visual analogue scales for dyspnoea and anxiety, and physiological indicators of heart rate and respiratory rate. Data were collected every day from baseline (day 1), during the treatment (days 2-10) and follow-up (days 11-17). Data were analysed using generalized estimation equations. The study was carried out in 2003. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were using prolonged mechanical ventilatory support experienced high levels of dyspnoea and anxiety. Dyspnoea (P = 0.009), anxiety (P = 0.011) and physiological indicators (P < 0.0001) in the acupressure group improved statistically significantly over time when compared with those of the comparison group. This results support the suggestion that acupressure therapy could decrease sympathetic stimulation and improve perceived symptoms of dyspnoea and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are using prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Intermediate Respiratory Intensive Care Units: Definitions and Characteristics

This study aims at assessing the global dynamic behavior, elastic deformability, closing energy and turbulence of rigid versus deformable stented (RS vs DS) valve systems with deformable and rigid textile materials (DT vs RT) through studying the stent-valve interaction compared to a bioprosthetic material in transcatheter aortic valves (TAV).Three 19 mm stented textile TAV designs (RS-DT, RS-RT and DS-RT) with different stent and leaflet properties were tested and compared with a control bioprosthetic TAV (RS-DB) in a left heart simulator flow loop under physiological pressure and flow. Particle Image Velocimetry and high speed imaging were performed. Pressure gradients (PG), leakage fractions (LF), Pinwheeling indices (PI), closing energy (E) and Reynolds shear stresses (RSS) were calculated.(a) PGs and LFs were 11.86 ± 0.51 mmHg, 11.70 ± 0.34%; 8.84 ± 0.40 mmHg, 29.80 ± 0.76%; 11.59 ± 0.12 mmHg, 14.23 ± 1.64%; and 7.05 ± 0.09 mmHg, 12.08 ± 0.45% % for RS-DB, RS-DT, RS-RT and DS-RT respectively. (b) PIs were 15.79 ± 2.34%, 4.36 ± 0.84%, 2.47 ± 0.51% and 2.03 ± 0.33% for RS-DB, RS-DT, RS-RT and DS-RT respectively. (c) E is lowest for DS-RT (0.0010 ± 0.0002 J) followed by RS-RT (0.0017 ± 0.0002 J), RS-DB (0.0023 ± 0.0004 J) and highest with RS-DT (0.0036 ± 0.0007 J). (d) At peak systole lowest RSS was obtained with RS-DT (87.82 ± 0.58 Pa) and highest with DS-RT (122.98 ± 1.87 Pa).PGs, LFs, PIs and E were improved with DS-RT compared to other textile TAVs and RS-DB. Despite achieving more RSS than the rest of TAVs, DS-RT still falls within the same range of RSS produced by the other 2 valves and control exceeding the threshold for platelet activation.

Time of Birth and the Risk of Neonatal Death

To assess whether mortality is increased in the United States in infants born at night, we compared case-mix adjusted neonatal mortality for low- and high-risk infants born during the daytime (7 am to 6 pm), early night (7 pm to 12 am), and late night (1 am to 6 am). California linked birth-death certificate data on 3,363,157 infants, weighing more than 500 g and born without lethal congenital anomalies in 1992-1999, were analyzed. Logistic regression, adjusting for birth weight, gender, prenatal care initiation, maternal hypertension, eclampsia, diabetes, and placental abruption/previa, was used to estimate the relationship between neonatal mortality and time of birth. The overall neonatal mortality was 2.08 deaths per 1,000 live births. Neonatal mortality was 1.88 for daytime births, increasing to 2.37 for early night and 2.31 for late night births. After adjusting for case mix, early night births had a 12% increase and late night births a 16% increase in the odds of neonatal death, an excess that accounts for 9.6% of all neonatal deaths. Mortality was increased for night births that were less than 1,500 g or more than 1,500 g, singletons or multiples, and those delivered vaginally or by cesarean. The increased risk was identified in hospitals that provide intermediate, community, and regional neonatal intensive care, but not in hospitals that provide primary care. Identifying the causal factors and reducing the increased burden of mortality for infants born at night should be a major priority for perinatal medicine.

Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en el anciano inmunocompetente que requiere hospitalización. Cuadro clínico, factores pronósticos y tratamiento

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of death from infectious disease among the elderly. This study was carried out to examine the clinical manifestations, etiology, prognostic factors and treatment of CAP in immunocompetent elderly patients requiring hospitalization. A total of 306 elderly (80 +/- 7 years) patients were evaluated: 54% were male, 89% had concurrent diseases (principally cardiovascular and neurological disease, chronic obstructive lung disease and diabetes), and 97% were treated with second-or third-generation cephalosporins. Mean hospital stay was 10 days, and mortality was approximately 10% in hospital and around 13% on follow up at 30 days. As compared to younger CAP patients, multiple comorbidity, altered mental status, hypoxemia, high serum urea nitrogen on hospital admission were more frequent in the elderly. Intermediate care and intensive care unit admissions were also more frequent in the elderly. Hospital length of stay as well as mortality in the hospital and at 30 days were higher in elderly patients. The pathogen was identified as part of routine care in around 25% of cases. The most frequent pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae (10.5%), enteric Gram negative bacilli (5.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (4.2%) and Haemophilus influenzae (3.9%). In multivariate analysis the prognostic factors on admission associated with in-hospital mortality were advanced age (> 83 years), absence of cough, low blood pressure and hyperphosphatemia. CAP in elderly patients is a prevalent disease with specific clinical and epidemiological characteristics, clinical course and prognosis.

Papel dos cuidados intermédios num serviço de insuficientes respiratórios

During 1960s Intermediate Care Units started to spread all over North America, promoted to solve the increasing demands on Intensive Care Units admissions, and the high costs of intensive care. The new model of organization designed establishes a hierarchy between different levels of hospital care – general ward, intermediate care units and intensive care units – based on the amount of human and technical resources available and aimed to provide a continuum in the level of care, without decreasing the quality of treatment or adversely affecting the outcome, representing a cost-effective approach to the care of a substantial number of patients. Respiratory Intermediate Care Units are designed to treat medically stable ventilator patients for weaning and chronic care; hemodynamically stable patients with evidence of compromised gas exchange and underlying disease with the potential for worsening respiratory insufficiency who require frequent observation and/or nasal continuous positive airway pressure; and patients who require frequent vital signs or aggressive pulmonary physiotherapy. The Respiratory Insufficiency Division from the Pulmonary Department of Hospital de Pulido Valente incorporates a 26-bed respiratory ward providing intermediate level care in 8 beds, an Intensive Respiratory Care Unit (IRCU) and a Respiratory Insufficiency Day Care Center (RIDCC). In order to evaluate the work developed in the 8-bed intermediate care, a systematic retrospective review of all records was performed from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2000. Results: during this period of time 545 patients were admitted (167 women and 378 men) with an average age of 64 years (14-92). The provenience of the patients was 34% from IRCU, 19% from the respiratory ward and 4% from RIDCC; 19% directly from the emergency room and the remaining 24% from other areas. The reasons for admission were: 25% following invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), 6% for chronic invasive mechanical ventilation (CIMV), 7% with tracheostomy tubes after prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation, 27% for noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), 27% for cardiorespiratory monitoring and 8% for different reasons. The patients suffered in 96% from chronic disease, mostly from: COPD (51%), TB sequelae (18%) and kyphoscoliosis (7%). In 94% of the patients, respiratory insufficiency was present, mainly hypercapnic failure. The average length of stay in intermediate care was 18,5 days (1-599). Eighty patients were transferred to the intensive care unit because of clinical deterioration and 60 patients died prior to hospital discharge. Five patients were weaned from CIMV (33%) and 2 were discharged home with invasive ventilatory support. Tracheostomy was definitively closed in 11 patients (31%) and 2 were discharged home with a tracheal button. In 83% of patients with respiratory failure NIV succeeded to solve the acute event. Comments: The availability of 8-bed intermediate care has enabled to liberate 5599 days of intensive care, 3110 from patients on chronic ventilatory support and 2489 from patients with tracheostomy following weaning from CIMV; despite the advanced stage of chronic respiratory disease with mortality ranging from 53 and 40%, respectively, the number of patients in whom weaning was obtained is comparable to the literature. The possibility of close monitoring and observation is greatly responsible for the success obtained with NIV, sparing patients from IMV. REV PORT PNEUMOL 2001; VII (6):

Phlebotomy overdraw in the neonatal intensive care nursery.

Because blood loss attributable to laboratory testing is the primary cause of anemia among preterm infants during the first weeks of life, we quantified blood lost attributable to phlebotomy overdraw, ie, excess that might be avoided. We hypothesized that phlebotomy overdraw in excess of that requested by the hospital laboratory was a common occurrence, that clinical factors associated with excessive phlebotomy loss would be identified, and that some of these factors are potentially correctable. DESIGN, OUTCOME MEASURES, AND ANALYSIS: Blood samples drawn for clinical purposes from neonates cared for in our 2 neonatal special care units were weighed, and selected clinical data were recorded. The latter included the test performed; the blood collection container used; the infant's location (ie, neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] and intermediate intensive care unit); the infant's weight at sampling; and the phlebotomist's level of experience, work shift, and clinical role. Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate procedures. Phlebotomists included laboratory technicians stationed in the neonatal satellite laboratory, phlebotomists assigned to the hospital's central laboratory, and neonatal staff nurses. Phlebotomists were considered experienced if they had worked in the nursery setting for >1 year. Blood was sampled from a venous or arterial catheter or by capillary stick from a finger or heel. Blood collection containers were classified as tubes with marked fill-lines imprinted on the outside wall, tubes without fill-lines, and syringes. Infants were classified by weight into 3 groups: <1 kg, 1 to 2 kg, and >2 kg. The volume of blood removed was calculated by subtracting the weight of the empty collection container from that of the container filled with blood and dividing by the specific gravity of blood, ie, 1.050 g/mL. The volume of blood withdrawn for individual laboratory tests was expressed as a percentage of the volume requested by the hospital laboratory. The mean (+/- standard error of the mean) volume of blood drawn for the 578 tests drawn exceeded that requested by the hospital laboratory by 19.0% +/- 1.8% per test. The clinical factors identified as being significantly associated with greater phlebotomy overdraw in the multiple regression model included: 1) collection in blood containers without fill-lines; 2) lighter weight infants; and 3) critically ill infants being cared for in the NICU. Because the overall R(2) of the multiple regression for these 3 clinical factors was only.24, the random factor of individual phlebotomist was added to the model. This model showed that there was a significant variation in blood overdraw among individual phlebotomists, and as a result, the overall R(2) increased to.52. An additional subset analysis involving 2 of the 3 groups of blood drawers (ie, hospital and neonatal laboratory phlebotomists) examining the effect of work shift, demonstrated that there was significantly greater overdraw for blood samples obtained during the evening shift, compared with the day shift when drawn using unmarked tubes for the group of heavier infants cared for in the NICU. Significant volumes of blood loss are attributable to overdraw for laboratory testing. This occurrence likely exacerbates the anemia of prematurity and may increase the need for transfusions in some infants. Attempts should be made to correct the factors involved. Common sense suggests that blood samples drawn in tubes with fill-lines marked on the outside would more closely approximate the volumes requested than those without. Conversely, the use of unmarked tubes could lead to phlebotomy overdraw because phlebotomists may overcompensate to avoid having to redraw the sample because of an insufficient volume for analysis. We were surprised to observe that the lightest and most critically ill infants experienced the greatest blood overdraw. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)