Median Intensive Care Unit Length Of Stay Research Articles

Incidence, predictability, and outcomes of systemic venous congestion following a fluid challenge in initially fluid-tolerant preload-responders after cardiac surgery: a pilot trial

BackgroundFluid administration has traditionally focused on preload responsiveness (PR). However, preventing fluid intolerance, particularly due to systemic venous congestion (VC), is equally important. This study evaluated the incidence and predictability of VC following a 7 ml/kg crystalloid infusion in fluid-tolerant preload-responders and its association with adverse outcomes.MethodsThis single-center, prospective, observational study (May 2023–July 2024) included 40 consecutive patients who were mechanically ventilated within 6 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission after elective open-heart surgery and had acute circulatory failure. Patients were eligible if they were both fluid-tolerant and preload-responsive. PR was defined as a ≥ 12% increase in left-ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT-VTI) 1 min after a passive leg raising (PLR) test. VC was defined by a portal vein pulsatility index (PVPI) ≥ 50%. Patients received a 7 ml/kg Ringer’s Lactate infusion over 10 min. The primary outcome was the incidence of VC 2 min post-infusion (early-VC). Secondary outcomes included VC at 20 min, the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and severe AKI at 7 days, and ICU length of stay (LOS).Results45% of patients developed early-VC, with VC persisting in only 5% at 20 min. One-third of patients developed AKI, with 17.5% progressing to severe AKI. The median ICU LOS was 4 days. Patients with early-VC had significantly higher central venous pressure, lower mean perfusion pressure, worse baseline right ventricular function, and a higher incidence of severe AKI. While LVOT-VTI returned to baseline by 20 min in both groups, PVPI remained elevated in early-VC patients (p < 0.001). The LVOT-VTI versus PVPI regression line showed similar slopes (p = 0.755) but different intercepts (p < 0.001), indicating that, despite fluid tolerance and PR at baseline, early-VC patients had reduced right ventricular diastolic reserve (RVDR). Post-PLR PVPI predicted early-VC with an area under the curve of 0.998, using a threshold of 44.3% (p < 0.001).ConclusionPost-PLR PVPI effectively predicts fluid-induced early-VC in fluid-tolerant preload-responders, identifying those with poor RVDR. Its use can guide fluid management in cardiac surgery patients, helping to prevent unnecessary fluid administration and associated complications.Trial Registration: NCT06440772. Registered 30 May 2024. Retrospectively registered.

Time to surgical stabilization of rib fractures: does it impact outcomes?

ObjectivesRib fractures are common, morbid, and potentially lethal. Intuitively, if interventions to mitigate downstream effects of rib fractures can be implemented early, likelihood of developing these complications should be reduced....

Successful Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in Paediatric Cardiac Surgery in Australia

Fast-track or enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a care pathway for surgical patients based on a multidisciplinary team approach aimed at optimising recovery without increasing risk with protocols based on scientific evidence, which is monitored continuously to ensure compliance and improvement. These protocols have been shown to reduce the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) following paediatric cardiac surgery. We present the first structured implementation of ERAS in paediatric cardiac surgery in Australia. All patients enrolled in the ERAS pathway between October 2019 and July 2023 were identified. Demographic and perioperative data were collected retrospectively from hospital records for patients operated before June 2021 and prospectively from June 2021. A control group (non-ERAS) was identified using propensity matching from patients who underwent similar procedures and were not enrolled in the ERAS pathway (prior to October 2019). Patients were matched for age, weight, and comprehensive Aristotle score. Outcomes of interest were duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, ICU LOS, readmission to the ICU, hospital LOS, cardiac reintervention rate, postoperative complication rate, and number of 30-day readmissions. Of 1,084 patients who underwent cardiac surgery during the study period (October 2019-July 2023), 121 patients (11.2%) followed the ERAS pathway. The median age at the time of surgery was 4.8 years (interquartile range [IQR] 2.8-8.8 years). The most common procedure was the closure of atrial septal defect (n=58, 47.9%). The median cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times were 40 min (IQR 28-53.5 minutes) and 24.5 min (IQR 13-34 minutes) respectively. The majority were extubated in the operating theatre (n=108, 89.3%). The median ICU and hospital LOS were 4.5 hrs (IQR 4.1-5.6 hours) and 4 days (IQR 4-5 days) respectively. None of the patients required readmission to the ICU within 24 hrs of discharge from the ICU. Three (3) patients (2.5%) required reintervention. When compared with the non-ERAS group, the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital LOS were significantly lower in the ERAS group. There was no significant difference in the ICU readmission rate, reintervention rate, complication rate, and number of 30-day readmissions between both groups. ERAS after paediatric cardiac surgery is feasible and safe in select patients with low preoperative risk. This pathway reduces the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital LOS without increasing risks, enabling the optimisation of resources.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of obstetric patients transferred directly to intensive care units.

Medical complications in peripartum patients are uncommon. Often, these patients are transferred to tertiary care centers, but their conditions and outcomes are not well understood. Our study examined peripartum patients transferred to an intensive care unit (ICU) at an academic quaternary center. We reviewed charts of adult, non-trauma, interhospital transfer (IHT) peripartum patients sent to an academic quaternary ICU between January 2017 and December 2021. We conducted a descriptive analysis and used multivariable ordinal regression to examine associations of demographic and clinical factors with ICU length of stay (LOS) and hospital length of stay (HLOS). Of 1,794 IHT peripartum patients, 60 (3.2%) were directly transferred to an ICU. The average was 32 years, with a median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of 3 (1-4.25) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score of 8 (7-12). Respiratory failure was most common (32%), followed by postpartum hemorrhage (15%) and sepsis (14%). Intubation was required for 24 (41%), and 4 (7%) needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Only 1 (1.7%) died, while 45 (76.3%) were discharged. Median ICU LOS and HLOS were 5 days (212) and 8 days (5-17). High SOFA score was linked to longer HLOS, as was APACHE II. Transfers of critically ill peripartum patients between hospitals were rare but involved severe medical conditions. Despite this, their outcomes were generally positive. Larger studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Management of lower extremity vascular injuries in pediatric trauma patients: 20-year experience at a level 1 trauma center

IntroductionPediatric lower extremity vascular injuries (LEVI) are rare but can result in significant morbidity. We aimed to describe our experience with these injuries, including associated injury patterns, diagnostic and therapeutic...

2877. Influence of vancomycin AUC monitoring on acute kidney injury in a large quasi-experimental study of over 3000 patients

Abstract Background Due to the inconsistent correlation of vancomycin trough concentrations with area under the curve (AUC) and increased rates of vancomycin-induced kidney injury (VIKI), an institutional practice change was implemented in 2017 to use 2-level AUC monitoring. The objective of the present study was to evaluate VIKI outcomes in a large quasi-experimental study. Methods A 4-year quasi-experimental study was performed at an academic medical center and included patients who received parenteral vancomycin for ≥ 72 hours. The primary outcome was the incidence of VIKI defined using KDIGO criteria. Secondary outcomes included inpatient all-cause mortality, median length of stay (LOS), median intensive care unit LOS, and median vancomycin trough concentration. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify primary predictors of VIKI and all-cause inpatient mortality while controlling for other significant covariates. Results The study included 3207 patients, with 1964 and 1243 in the trough and AUC groups, respectively. Similar baseline demographics (i.e., age, sex, race, weight, BMI, CrCl, Charlson Comorbidity Index) were noted between the groups. Patients in the AUC group were more likely to receive a vancomycin loading dose (32% vs 49%; p&amp;lt; 0.001) and have greater median trough concentrations (11.5 mg/L [8.1-16.0] vs 11.8 mg/L [8.9-16.2]; p=0.008). However, they also had lower median day 3 vancomycin exposures (3500 mg [2250-5000] vs 3250 mg [2500-4500]; p=0.008). Median AUC was 488 (396-607) in the AUC group. No significant differences were noted in the bivariate analysis of VIKI, defined as meeting criteria of any of the 3 KDIGO stages (20.5% vs 19.6%; p=0.112). The multivariable logistic regression suggested AUC monitoring was associated with a 23% decrease in VIKI (OR 0.767; 95% CI 0.621-0.947). All-cause inpatient mortality was significantly decreased in the AUC group (8.1% vs 6.3%; p=0.049). Conclusion VIKI was significantly reduced when AUC monitoring was employed in a large quasi-experimental study comprising over 3000 patients, one of the largest evaluations to date. This further strengthens the recommendation to transition to AUC monitoring for most patients receiving vancomycin for ≥ 72 hours. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Outcomes Associated With Levetiracetam Use After Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of seizures in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) who received prophylactic levetiracetam. This was a retrospective cohort study evaluating the use of levetiracetam in patients without a history of seizures who experienced a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Patients were excluded if they were younger than 18years of age, had a documented history of a seizure disorder, or had an antiseizure drug documented on their home medication list. Patients were based on their exposure to levetiracetam. The primary outcome was incidence of seizure during hospital admission. Secondary outcomes included occurrence of adverse events, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), and hospital LOS. Of the 229 patients included in the final analysis, 21 were in the levetiracetam group (LEV) and 208 were in the no levetiracetam group (no LEV). No statistical difference in seizure incidence was observed when comparing the LEV and no LEV groups (1 [4.8%] LEV vs 3 [1.4%] no LEV; P = .32). There was also no statistical difference in the median ICU LOS (2days [1day, 5days] LEV vs 2days [1day, 3days] no LEV; P = .27), median hospital LOS (6days [2days, 8days] LEV vs 6days [3days, 9days] no LEV; P = .27), or adverse events. This study does not support the use of levetiracetam prophylaxis in patients who have experienced an ICH.

Early patient and liver allograft outcomes from donation after circulatory death donors using thoracoabdominal normothermic regional: a multi-center observational experience.

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver allografts are associated with higher rates of primary non-function (PNF) and ischemic cholangiopathy (IC). Advanced recovery techniques, including thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (TA-NRP), may improve organ utilization and patient and allograft outcomes. Given the increasing US experience with TA-NRP DCD recovery, we evaluated outcomes of DCD liver allografts transplanted after TA-NRP. Liver allografts transplanted from DCD donors after TA-NRP were identified from 5/1/2021 to 1/31/2022 across 8 centers. Donor data included demographics, functional warm ischemic time (fWIT), total warm ischemia time (tWIT) and total time on TA-NRP. Recipient data included demographics, model of end stage liver disease (MELD) score, etiology of liver disease, PNF, cold ischemic time (CIT), liver function tests, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS), post-operative transplant related complications. The donors' median age was 32 years old and median BMI was 27.4. Median fWIT was 20.5 min; fWIT exceeded 30 min in two donors. Median time to initiation of TA-NRP was 4 min and median time on bypass was 66 min. The median recipient listed MELD and MELD at transplant were 22 and 21, respectively. Median allograft CIT was 292 min. The median length of follow up was 257 days. Median ICU and hospital LOS were 2 and 7 days, respectively. Three recipients required management of anastomotic biliary strictures. No patients demonstrated IC, PNF or required re-transplantation. Liver allografts from TA-NRP DCD donors demonstrated good early allograft and recipient outcomes.

Operative Management Improves Near-term Survival of Patients With Odontoid Type II Fractures: A Propensity-matched National Registry Analysis.

National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) review and propensity-matched analysis. To evaluate differences in clinical outcomes by operative management. Odontoid type II fractures are the most prevalent cervical fracture. Operative intervention on these fractures is frequently debated; surgical risks are compounded by clinical severity, patient age, and comorbidities. This registry review included index admissions for odontoid type II fractures [International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes beginning with S12.11] from 1/1/2017 to 1/1/2020; patients who died in the emergency department (ED) were excluded. Propensity score techniques were used to match patients 1:1 by surgical management, using a caliper distance of 0.05, after matching on the following covariates that differed significantly between surgical and nonsurgical patients: age, sex, race, cause of injury, transfer status, injury severity score, ED Glasgow coma score, ED systolic blood pressure, presence of transverse ligamentous injury, cervical dislocation, and 8 comorbidities. The following outcomes were analyzed with McNemar tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests: near-term survival (discharged from the hospital to locations other than morgue or hospice), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hospital complications, median hospital length of stay (LOS), and median ICU LOS. There were 16,607 patients, 2916 (17.6%) were operatively managed and 13,691 were nonoperatively managed. Before matching, survival was greater for patients managed operatively compared with nonoperatively (95.0% vs. 88.2%). The matched population consisted of 5334 patients: 2667 patients in the operative group (91.5% of this population) and 2667 well-matched patients in the nonoperative group. After matching, there was a survival benefit for patients who were operatively managed compared with nonoperative management (94.8% vs. 91.4% P <0.001). However, operative management was associated with greater development of complications, ICU admission, and longer hospital and ICU LOS. Compared with nonoperative management, operative management demonstrated a significant near-term survival benefit for patients with odontoid type II fractures in select patients. III.

Respiratory Distress Complicating Falciparum Malaria Imported to Berlin, Germany: Incidence, Burden, and Risk Factors.

While European healthcare systems face resource shortages as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, numbers of imported falciparum malaria cases increased again with re-intensifying international travel. The aim of the study was to identify malaria-specific complications associated with a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (ICU-LOS) in the pre-COVID-19 era and to determine targets for their prevention. This retrospective observational investigation included all the cases treated from 2001 to 2015 at the Charité University Hospital, Berlin. The association of malaria-specific complications with the ICU-LOS was assessed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression. The risk factors for the individual complications were determined using a multivariate Bayesian logistic regression. Among the 536 included cases, 68 (12.7%) required intensive care and 55 (10.3%) suffered from severe malaria (SM). The median ICU-LOS was 61 h (IQR 38-91 h). Respiratory distress, which occurred in 11 individuals (2.1% of the total cases, 16.2% of the ICU patients, and 20% of the SM cases), was the only complication independently associated with ICU-LOS (adjusted hazard ratio for ICU discharge by 61 h 0.24, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI, 0.08-0.75). Shock (adjusted odds ratio, aOR, 11.5; 95%CI, 1.5-113.3), co-infections (aOR 7.5, 95%CI 1.2-62.8), and each mL/kg/h fluid intake in the first 24 treatment hours (aOR 2.2, 95%CI 1.1-5.1) were the independent risk factors for its development. Respiratory distress is not rare in severe imported falciparum malaria, and it is associated with a substantial burden. Cautious fluid management, including in shocked individuals, and the control of co-infections may help prevent its development and thereby reduce the ICU-LOS.

Prevalence of Frailty in ICU and its Impact on Patients' Outcomes.

Frailty describes a state or syndrome of reduced physical, physiologic, and cognitive reserve that increases vulnerability to acute illness. To study the prevalence of frailty in critically ill patients and find its association with resource utilization and short-term intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes. This was a prospective observational study. All adult patients ≥50 years admitted to the ICU were included and frailty was assessed by the clinical frailty score (CFS). Data were collected on demography, coexisting illness, CFS, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) scores. Patients were followed for 30 days. Outcome data were collected on organ supports provided, duration of ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), and ICU and 30-day mortality. 137 patients were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of frailty was 38.6%. Frail patients were older and had a more comorbid illness. APACHE-II and SOFA scores were 22.1 ± 7.0 and 7.2 ± 3.29, significantly higher in frail patients, respectively. There was a trend towards higher requirement for organ supports in frail patients. Median ICU and hospital LOS were 8 vs 6 and 20 vs 12 (frail vs nonfrail) days, respectively (p < 0.05). Intensive care unit mortality in frail and nonfrail patients was 28.3% and 23.8%, respectively (p = 0.56). Thirty-day mortality in frail patients was 49%, significantly higher compared with nonfrail patients (28.5%). The prevalence of frailty in ICU patients was high. Frail patients were quite ill on ICU admission, and they had a prolonged ICU and hospital LOS. Increasing frailty score was associated with higher mortality at 30 days. Kalaiselvan MS, Yadav A, Kaur R, Menon A, Wasnik S. Prevalence of Frailty in ICU and its Impact on Patients' Outcomes. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(5):335-341.

Comparative Effectiveness of Intracranial Pressure Monitoring vs No Monitoring in Severe Penetrating Brain Injury Management

Civilian penetrating brain injury (PBI) is associated with high mortality. However, scant literature is available to guide neurocritical care monitoring and management of PBI. To examine the association of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring with mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), and dispositional outcomes in patients with severe PBI. This comparative effectiveness research study analyzed data from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program of the National Trauma Data Bank in the US from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019. Patients with PBI were identified, and those aged 16 and 60 years who met these inclusion criteria were included: ICU LOS of more than 2 days, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score lower than 9 on arrival and at 24 hours, and Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 3 to 5 for the head region and lower than 3 for other body regions. Patients with bilaterally fixed pupils or incomplete data were excluded. A 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching was used to create a subgroup of patients. Patients were divided into 2 groups: with vs without ICP monitoring. Data analysis was conducted between September and December 2022. Intracranial pressure monitoring vs no monitoring. Outcomes were mortality, rate of withdrawal, ICU LOS, and dispositional outcome. Measures were age, initial systolic blood pressure, initial oxygen saturation level on a pulse oximeter, first-recorded GCS score, GCS score at 24 hours, Abbreviated Injury Scale score, midline shift, and pupillary reactivity. A total of 596 patients (505 males [84.7%]; mean [SD] age, 32.2 [12.3] years) were included, among whom 220 (36.9%) died and 288 (48.3%) had ICP monitoring. The PS matching yielded 466 patients (233 in each group with vs without ICP monitoring). Overall mortality was 35.8%; 72 patients with ICP monitoring (30.9%) died compared with 95 patients (40.8%) without ICP monitoring . Patients with ICP monitoring were more likely to survive (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.05-2.25; P = .03; number needed to treat, 10). No difference in favorable discharge disposition was observed. The PS-weighted analysis included all 596 patients and found that patients with ICP monitoring were more likely to survive than those without (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.10-1.78; P = .005). The E-value for the OR calculated from the PS-matched data set was 1.79. In addition, ICP monitoring vs no monitoring was associated with an increase in median (IQR) ICU LOS (15.0 [8.0-21.0] days vs 7.0 [4.0-12.0] days; P < .001). In this comparative effectiveness research study, PBI management guided by ICP monitoring was associated with decreased mortality and increased ICU LOS, challenging the notion of universally poor outcomes after civilian PBI. Randomized clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy of ICP monitoring in PBI are warranted.

Patient-Centred Outcomes Following Tracheostomy in Critical Care.

Around 20% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergo tracheostomy insertion and expect high-quality care concentrating on patient-centered outcomes including communication, oral intake, and mobilization. The majority of data has focused on timing, mortality, and resource utilization, with a paucity of information on quality of life following tracheostomy. Single center retrospective study including all patients requiring tracheostomy from 2017 to 2019. Information collected on demographics, severity of illness, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), ICU and hospital mortality, discharge disposition, sedation, time to vocalization, swallow and mobilization. Outcomes were compared for early versus late tracheostomy (early = <day 10) and age category (≤ 65 vs ≥ 66 years). In total, 304 patients were included and 71% male, median age 59, APACHE II score 17. Median ICU and hospital LOS 16 and 56 days, respectively. ICU and hospital mortality 9.9% and 22.4%. Median time to tracheostomy 8 days, 8.55% open. Following tracheostomy, median days of sedation was 0, time to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) 1 day (94% of patients achieving this), ventilator-free breathing (VFB) 5 days (72%), speaking valve 7 days (60%), dynamic sitting 5 days (64%), and swallow assessment 16 days (73%). Early tracheostomy was associated with shorter ICU LOS (13 vs 26 days, P < .0001), reduced sedation (6 vs 12 days, P < .0001), faster transition to level 2 care (6 vs 10 days, P < .003), NIV (1 vs 2 days, P < .003), and VFB (4 vs 7 days, P < .005). Older patients received less sedation, had higher APACHE II scores and mortality (36.1%) and 18.5% were discharged home. Median time to VFB was 6 days (63.9%), speaking valve 7 days (64.7%), swallow assessment 20.5 days (66.7%), and dynamic sitting 5 days (62.2%). Patient-centered outcomes are a worthy goal to consider when selecting patients for tracheostomy in addition to mortality or timing alone, including in older patients.

Evaluation of Dexmedetomidine as an Adjunct to Phenobarbital for Alcohol Withdrawal in Critically Ill Patients.

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is commonly used with benzodiazepines for the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), but limited data exist regarding its use with phenobarbital (PHB). This analysis evaluated the utility of DEX in addition to PHB for AWS in adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). This was a single-center, retrospective cohort analysis of critically ill adult patients who received PHB plus either DEX or different adjunctive therapies (NO-DEX) for AWS between 2018 and 2021. Patients were excluded if they had underlying altered mental status or seizure disorder unrelated to AWS or received PHB at outside hospitals. Coarsened exact matching (CEM) was performed to match patients on baseline characteristics in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was ICU length of stay (LOS). A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of DEX on ICU LOS when accounting for confounders. Secondary outcomes included days with delirium and incidence of mechanical ventilation after PHB administration. Of the 606 encounters evaluated, 197 met criteria for inclusion. After CEM, 56 encounters remained in each group for analysis. The median ICU LOS was 97.2 [50.1:139.5] hours for the DEX group and 47.5 [28.8:88.1] hours for the NO-DEX group (P = .002). The multivariate linear regression analysis showed the use of DEX (P = .008) was independently associated with an increased ICU LOS by 49.8 h. The DEX group had higher rates of total delirium days (208 vs 143 days, P < .001) and a higher incidence of mechanical ventilation after PHB administration (32% vs 9%, P < .001). This analysis suggests the use of adjunctive DEX with PHB for AWS was associated with a prolonged ICU LOS. Additional studies are needed to further understand the role of adjunctive DEX in the treatment of AWS in critically ill patients.

Comparison of trauma care structures, processes and outcomes between the English National Health Service and Quebec, Canada.

Comparisons across trauma systems are key to identifying opportunities to improve trauma care. We aimed to compare trauma service structures, processes and outcomes between the English National Health Service (NHS) and the province of Quebec, Canada. We conducted a multicentre cohort study including admissions of patients aged older than 15 years with major trauma to major trauma centres (MTCs) from 2014/15 to 2016/17. We compared structures descriptively, and time to MTC and time in the emergency department (ED) using Wilcoxon tests. We compared mortality, and hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) using multilevel logistic regression with propensity score adjustment, stratified by body region of the worst injury. The sample comprised 36 337 patients from the NHS and 6484 patients from Quebec. Structural differences in the NHS included advanced prehospital medical teams (v. "scoop and run" in Quebec), helicopter transport (v. fixed-wing aircraft) and trauma team leaders. The median time to an MTC was shorter in Quebec than in the NHS for direct transports (1 h v. 1.5 h, p < 0.001) but longer for transfers (2.5 h v. 6 h, p < 0.001). Time in the ED was longer in Quebec than in the NHS (6.5 h v. 4.0 h, p < 0.001). The adjusted odds of death were higher in Quebec for head injury (odds ratio [OR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.51) but lower for thoracoabdominal injuries (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.52-0.90). The adjusted median hospital LOS was longer for spine, torso and extremity injuries in the NHS than in Quebec, and the median ICU LOS was longer for spine injuries. We observed significant differences in the structure of trauma care, delays in access and risk-adjusted outcomes between Quebec and the NHS. Future research should assess associations between structures, processes and outcomes to identify opportunities for quality improvement.

791: IMPACT OF SEDATION WITH KETAMINE COMPARED TO BENZODIAZEPINES ON DELIRIUM IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Introduction: The use of high-dose ketamine infusions for sedation has grown in popularity as an alternative to benzodiazepines in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Currently, there is a paucity of literature describing the use of high-dose ketamine for sedation. The objectives of this study are to describe high-dose ketamine use in the ICU and its impacts on delirium compared to benzodiazepines. Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to an ICU between 5/5/2018 and 12/1/2021. Neurocritical care and cardiovascular surgery patients were excluded. Patients included were mechanically ventilated for ≥ 48 hours and received either ketamine ≥ 1 mg/kg/hr or a benzodiazepine infusion (midazolam or lorazepam) for ≥ 24 hours during their index ICU stay. and baseline demographics, sedative drip information, CAM-ICU scores, hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS), duration of mechanical ventilation, and chloride disturbances were collected The primary outcome was the percentage of eligible ICU days CAM-ICU positive, and secondary outcomes included ICU LOS and duration of mechanical ventilation. Eligible ICU days were defined as days with a Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale score ≥ - 3, and a CAM-ICU positive day was defined as having one positive CAM-ICU score positive. Results: A total of 187 patients were included, with 70 and 117 patients in the ketamine and benzodiazepine groups, respectively. The mean age was 56.9 (14.7), and 64.2% were male. The percentage CAM-ICU positive days in the ICU was 68.1% for ketamine and 51.5% for benzodiazepines (p=0.15). The median ICU LOS in days was 20.1 (11.6, 38.9) for the ketamine arm compared to 15.9 (8.7, 26.0) for the benzodiazepine arm (p=0.069). The median duration of mechanical ventilation in days was 19.5 (7.4, 37.4) compared to 11 (6.1, 22.0) for ketamine and benzodiazepines respectively (p=0.053). Overall, 57.5% of ketamine arm patients and 44.1% of benzodiazepine arm patients died during hospitalization (p=0.17). Conclusions: Compared to benzodiazepine infusions, high-dose ketamine infusions did not result in a significantly different number of CAM-ICU positive ICU days, ICU LOS, or duration of mechanical ventilation.

817: EFFECT OF GABAPENTIN AND METHOCARBAMOL ON LENGTH OF STAY IN PATIENTS WITH TRAUMATIC RIB FRACTURES

Introduction: Use of opioid-sparing agents in patients with traumatic rib fractures is associated with positive outcomes such as reduced intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) and opioid exposure. While multiple studies have aimed to evaluate analgesic interventions for rib fractures, no specific bundled combination of analgesia has demonstrated superiority. The objective of this study was to characterize the effect of non-opioid analgesic agents (methocarbamol and gabapentin) as part of a multimodal pain regimen including acetaminophen and lidocaine patches on ICU LOS, hospital LOS, and opioid utilization in patients with traumatic rib fractures. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to a surgical ICU at a level I trauma center. Of these, patients with at least one rib fracture were eligible for inclusion. Patients were divided between APAP-lidocaine-methocarbamol and APAP-lidocaine-gabapentin groups. The primary endpoint, ICU LOS, and secondary endpoint of hospital LOS were analyzed by log-rank test. Average cumulative oral morphine equivalents (OME) was analyzed by t-test. Results: 129 patients were included in study analysis: 98 in the APAP-lidocaine-gabapentin group and 31 in the APAP-lidocaine-methocarbamol group. There were no differences in age, sex, race, type of injury, mechanism of injury, and injury severity. The median ICU LOS was similar between APAP-lidocaine-gabapentin (2 +/- 3.2 days) and APAP-lidocaine-methocarbamol (1.8 +/- 1 days) (p=0.23). There was no difference in median hospital LOS between APAP-lidocaine-gabapentin (3.7 +/- 3.8 days) and APAP-lidocaine-methocarbamol (3.8 +/- 1.9 days) (p=0.72). There was also no difference in average cumulative opioid exposure between APAP-lidocaine-gabapentin (85.1 +/- 40.5 mg) and APAP-lidocaine-methocarbamol (84.4 +/- 46.2 mg) (p=0.98). Conclusions: The addition of gabapentin or methocarbamol to acetaminophen plus topical lidocaine patches did not appear to affect the LOS or opioid exposure in this cohort of patients with traumatic rib fractures.

Hemoperfusion for Clinically Suspected Organophosphate and Carbamate Poisoning in Critically Ill Patients: A Randomized Trial

Introduction: Organophosphate poisoning occurs frequently, and despite treatment, increased severity and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions have been observed. We hypothesized that early hemoperfusion/hemadsorption (HA) therapy would change the clinical course of the disease. Methods: We performed a prospective, open, randomized controlled study at an academic ICU. Adult patients referred for an acute cholinergic toxidrome were screened. Patients meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized to standard of care (SoC) or HA therapy plus SoC, which included 2 6-h cycles of HA 12 h apart beginning within the first 24 h of ICU admission. The primary outcome was a comparison of ICU length of stay (LOS). Results: There were no significant baseline differences between the groups. The median ICU LOS was 6.5 days (IQR 4.5–10) in the HA group compared to 8 days (IQR 3.5–17) for the control group, p = 0.58. Among patients with an excess ICU LOS ≥7 days, the median ICU LOS was significantly shorter for the HA group, 10 days (IQR 8–12) compared to 17 days (IQR 14–22) for the control group, p = 0.001, resulting in a cost saving of EUR 7308 per patient. Duration (8 days vs. 13.5 days) and cumulative dosage (316 mg vs. 887 mg) of atropine among patients with excess ICU LOS were significantly lower in the HA group compared to the SoC group, respectively. A similar reduction in the duration of mechanical ventilation (HA = 6 days vs. SoC = 15 days, p = 0.001) was found. The combination of day 28 mortality and severe complications was lower in the HA group (10%, n = 2/20) compared to the SoC group (42%, 14/33) p = 0.01. Conclusion: HA therapy resulted in significant cost savings driven by a reduced LOS among patients with excess ICU LOS ≥7 days. This therapy was also associated with a significant reduction in the combination of day 28 mortality and severe complications including cardiac arrest, organ dysfunction, reintubation, and tracheostomy.

A Retrospective Study of the Role of Perioperative Serum Albumin and the Albumin-Bilirubin Grade in Predicting Post-Liver Transplant Length of Stay.

Serum albumin's association with liver transplant outcomes has been investigated with mixed findings. This study aimed to evaluate perioperative albumin level, independently and as part of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, as a predictor of post-liver transplant hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS). Adult liver-only transplant recipients at our institution from September 2011 to May 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Repeat transplants were excluded. Demographic, laboratory, and hospital course data were extracted from an institutional data warehouse. Negative binomial regression was used to assess the association of LOS with ALBI grade, age, BMI, ASA score, Elixhauser comorbidity index, MELD-Na, warm ischemia time, units of platelets and cryoprecipitate transfused, and preoperative serum albumin. Six hundred and sixty-three liver transplant recipients met inclusion criteria. The median preoperative serum albumin was 3.1 [2.6-3.6] g/dL. The median postoperative ICU and hospital LOS were 3.8 [2.4-6.8] and 12 [8-20] days, respectively. Preoperative serum albumin predicted hospital but not ICU LOS (ratio .9 [95% confidence interval (CI) .84-.99], P = .03, hospital LOS vs ratio .92 [95% CI 0.84-1.02], P = .10, ICU LOS). For patients with MELD-Na ≤ 20, ALBI grade-3 predicted longer hospital and ICU LOS (ratio 1.40 [95% CI 1.18-1.66], P < .001, hospital LOS vs ratio 1.62 [95% CI 1.32-1.99], P < .001, ICU LOS). These associations were not significant for patients with MELD-Na > 20. Serum albumin predicted post-liver transplant hospital LOS. ALBI grade-3 predicted increased hospital and ICU LOS in low MELD-Na recipients.

Morbidity and Mortality After Rib Fracture in Elderly Patients (>65 Years Old) Compared to a Younger Cohort (≤65 Years of Age) at Doctor Hospital Renaissance Health.

Traumatic rib fracture is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Recent studies highlight the inadequacy of age and the number of rib fractures (NRFs) to assess patients' care needs, which may unnecessarily increase the burden of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Therefore, we sought to clarify the clinical outcomes of patients admitted to a level I trauma center with multiple blunt-trauma rib fractures by age and fracture location. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 18-95 admitted to Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health with multiple rib fractures during 2017-2020. Patients with major vascular/cerebral injuries or emergency surgery from other injuries were excluded. The study population comprised 71 patients aged ≤65 and 53 patients aged >65 years. The primary study outcomes included mortality and non-home discharge. ICU length of stay (ICU-LOS), total hospital length of stay (HLOS), and days on the ventilator were the secondary outcomes. Study outcomes were also analyzed by stratifying patients by fracture location. Patients aged >65 years with multiple blunt-trauma rib fractures had lower mortality rates despite a higher prevalence of comorbidities but with higher rates of non-home discharges compared to younger patients. However, the mortality and non-home discharge odds ratios were not statistically significant. Also, median ICU-LOS and HLOS were numerically higher in geriatric patients but were not statistically significant. Nonetheless, younger patients required significantly more days of respiratory support than older patients. Similar differences were observed in the clinical outcome of patients ≤65 or >65 years when stratified by fracture locations. Young patients with blunt trauma rib fractures may have similar, if not worse, clinical outcomes than geriatric patients. These findings underscore the need for individual assessment of the patient's trauma severity independent of age, the number of rib fractures, or fracture location to reduce ICU burden.