Persistent Shock Research Articles

Recombinant Activated Factor VII as a Hemostatic Agent in Very Low Birth Weight Preterms With Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

Acute hemorrhage in preterm infants leads immediately to a life-threatening event because of the small circulating blood volume. The beneficial use of recombinant activated Factor VII (rFVIIa; NovoSeven, NovoNordisk, Gentofte, Denmark) as hemostatic treatment in neonates with hemorrhagic shock has been described. Necrotizing enterocolitis is a challenge in neonatology as the disease represents one of the leading causes of mortality in preterm infants. We report on the use of rFVIIa in very low birth weight (<1500 g), preterms with intestinal hemorrhage, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Retrospective analysis of 5 cases. Five preterm infants <or=28 weeks gestational age with DIC and hemorrhagic shock due to severe diffuse gastrointestinal bleeding. Intravenous bolus administration of 100 to 180-microg/kg rFVIIa (total of 9 doses) as rescue procedure after other interventions (substitution of platelets, fresh frozen plasma, red packed cells, surgery) failed to achieve hemostasis. Two patients with severe acidosis, hypothermia, and thrombopenia died in hemorrhagic shock, treatment with rFVIIa was unsuccessful. In 3 patients, rFVIIa was effective and gastrointestinal bleeding could be stopped. No acute adverse event, increasing bowel necrosis, increasing platelet consumption, or thromboembolic complications were observed. In this small group of preterms with DIC, intestinal hemorrhage, and persistent hemorrhagic shock, rFVIIa was effective as a rescue therapy but failed in patients with severe acidosis, hypothermia, and thrombopenia.

A Report of Two Cases of Kawasaki Disease Treated With Plasma Exchange

Kawasaki disease is a generalized vasculitis of unknown etiology that occurs predominantly in infants and young children. It is very important to prevent its cardiovascular manifestations, especially coronary artery lesions. Early treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin reduces cardiovascular sequelae, but some patients do not respond to this treatment, and they have a high incidence of coronary artery lesions. On the other hand, acute heart failure is rare in Kawasaki disease. We report on the cases of two patients with persistent fever and shock even after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. In both cases, plasma exchange may have reduced the risk of coronary artery lesions and proved effective against acute heart failure with catecholamine-refractory shock; yet the mechanism of this improvement remains unclear.

Noradrenaline for management of septic shock refractory to fluid loading and dopamine or dobutamine in full‐term newborn infants

To determine the effects of noradrenaline in full-term newborns with refractory septic shock. Newborns of >35 weeks' gestation with persistent septic shock, despite adequate fluid resuscitation and high dose of dopamine/dobutamine were eligible. In this prospective observational study, we recorded respiratory and hemodynamic parameters prior to and 3 h after starting noradrenaline infusion. Twenty-two newborns were included (gestational age [GA] 39 +/- 1.7 weeks, birth weight (BW) 3110 +/- 780 g). Before starting noradrenaline, the infants received a mean volume expansion of 31 +/- 15 mL/kg and a mean infusion rate of dopamine of 14 +/- 5 microg/kg/min or dobutamine of 12 +/- 6 microg/kg/min. Three hours after starting noradrenaline (rate 0.5 +/- 0.4 microg/kg/min), the mean arterial blood pressure rose from 36 +/- 5 to 51 +/- 7 mmHg (p < 0.001). Urine output increased from 1 +/- 0.5 to 1.7 +/- 0.4 mL/kg/h (p < 0.05). Blood lactate concentration decreased from 4.8 +/- 2.3 to 3.3 +/- 1.8 mmol/L (p < 0.01). Despite an initial correction of hypotension, four infants died later. Noradrenaline was effective in increasing systemic blood pressure. An increase in urine output and a decrease in blood lactate concentration suggest that noradrenaline may have improved cardiac function and tissue perfusion.

Use of the Percutaneous Left Ventricular Assist Device in Patients with Severe Refractory Cardiogenic Shock as a Bridge to Long-term Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

For patients with persistent cardiogenic shock refractory to intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) support, there are only limited means of resuscitation and bridging to surgical left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and emergency surgical approaches have been attempted but are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the efficacy of a percutaneous left ventricular assist device (PVAD) as a bridge to LVAD implantation in patients in cardiogenic shock refractory to IABP and pressor support. Between May 2003 and April 2006, at our institution, 18 patients in severe refractory cardiogenic shock received a PVAD as a bridge to LVAD placement or orthotopic heart transplantation. Six patients had ischemic cardiomyopathy, and 12 had nonischemic cardiomyopathy. At the time of PVAD placement, 17 were receiving IABP support, and 10 were undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The mean duration of PVAD support was 4.2 +/- 2.5 days. During this time, the cardiac index improved from 0.86 +/- 0.66 to 2.50 +/- 0.93 liters/min/m2 (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure improved from 72 +/- 11 to 98 +/- 15 mm Hg (p = 0.001), and systemic mixed venous oxygenation improved from 37 +/- 7 to 62 +/- 6 mm Hg (p < 0.001). We terminated life support in 4 of the 18 patients before LVAD placement; 14 were successfully bridged to LVAD or heart transplantation. The mortality rate was 27% at 30 days and 33% at 6 months. There were no PVAD-associated deaths. In patients with terminal hemodynamic collapse, PVAD support is an effective bridging therapy to LVAD and appears to be a viable alternative to other invasive methods of support.

Money and Inflation Dynamics: A Lag between Change in Money Supply and The Corresponding Inflation Response in Tanzania

The price of money is goods and it can buy, which means, if money is plenteous will chase fewer or less amount of goods and services than it could actually do. Under normal conditions, money-inflation relationship is not instantaneous and so we should not expect all outcomes of currently implemented monetary policy actions to happen in the same current period. What is not clearly known for Tanzania is the time it takes a change in money supply to start impacting on inflation. The main objective of this paper is therefore to determine this time lag. Seasonally adjusted monthly data for the period 1994-2006 are used in the analysis and a GARCH model is applied in investigating inflation-money relationship. Estimation results indicate that a current change in money supply would affect inflation rate significantly in the seventh month ahead. They show further that the impact of money supply on inflation is not a sort of one-time strike on inflation but a kind of persistent shock. The main policy implication is that if we want to influence inflation in a certain future month, then we should take a policy action seven months before the targeted period. On the other side, if we want to evaluate the effectiveness of a monetary policy action taken in any previous month, we have to assess it in the seventh month ahead.

Continuous terlipressin infusion in patients with persistent septic shock and cirrhosis of the liver

Continuous terlipressin infusion in patients with persistent septic shock and cirrhosis of the liver

Functional limitation and right ventricular dysfunction at 6-month follow-up in patients with non-massive pulmonary embolism: useful outcomes for testing therapy of acute submassive pulmonary embolism?

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a syndrome with a significant annual incidence, potentially associated with an elevated morality rate.1 Patients presenting with acute PE and persistent systemic hypotension, cardiogenic shock, or cardiac arrest are classified as having massive PE; in the absence of haemodynamic instability, PE is defined generically as non-massive. The latter, however, is classified as submassive acute PE in the presence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction,1 to indicate that patients with normotensive acute PE and RV dysfunction may suddenly need escalation of therapy (vasopressor and/or inotropic support, rescue fibrinolysis, cardiopulmonary resuscitation).2–4 While clinical manifestation of acute PE may vary widely and significantly between patients, acute RV dysfunction is more quantifiable and uniform objective information in PE with relation to the severity of pulmonary vascular impairment.5 RV failure is the prominent cause of death in acute PE. This is further supported by the fact that in the setting of non-massive acute PE, RV dysfunction correlates with brain natriuretic peptide and troponins, which are in turn biomarkers of the severity of RV overload,6 providing additional information for risk stratification of the heterogeneous group of patients with normotensive PE.7–11 However, whether aggressive treatment (i.e. fibrinolysis or catheter-based pulmonary embolectomy) should be employed in acute submassive PE in addition to anticoagulation is controversial.1 In fact, while fibrinolysis or thromboembolectomy are associated with partial recovery of RV dysfunction,12 … *Corresponding author. Tel: +39 081 2543536; fax: +39 081 2543536. E-mail address : vpalmier{at}med.cornell.edu

Momentum Profitability and Market Trend: Evidence from REITs

This study investigates Real Estate Investment Trusts’ momentum returns in different market states, and explains the momentum phenomenon with a risk-based dividend growth theory of Johnson (Journal of Finance 57:585–608, 2002). Our results show that momentum returns of REITs are higher during up markets. This study finds that winners’ dividend/price ratios are higher than those of losers, and momentum returns are positively correlated with the difference between winners’ and losers’ dividend/price ratios. We also find that momentum returns are higher after the legislation change of REITs in 1992, and that dividend/price ratios of REITs are also higher after 1992, suggesting that a persistent shock to REIT’s dividend/price ratios in 1992 partly explains REITs’ higher momentum returns after 1992. In sum, results of this study suggest that momentum returns of REITs can be jointly explained by a time-varying factor (market state) and a cross-sectional variance in dividend yields.

Effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on haemodynamics and outcome of patients with persistent cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction: a phase II dose-ranging study

Previous studies suggested haemodynamic benefits and, possibly, mortality reduction with the use of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). We assessed preliminary efficacy and safety of four doses of l-n-monomethyl-arginine (l-NMMA), a non-selective NOS inhibitor, in patients with AMI complicated by CS despite an open infarct-related artery. Patients (n = 79) were randomly assigned to a bolus and 5 h infusion of placebo or 0.15, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/kg of l-NMMA. The primary outcome measure was absolute change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 2 h. Fifteen minutes after study drug initiation, mean change in MAP was -4.0 mmHg in the placebo group and 5.8 (P = 0.02), 4.8 (P = 0.02), 5.1 (P = 0.07), and 11.6 (P < 0.001) mmHg in the four l-NMMA groups, respectively (all vs. placebo). Mean change in MAP at 2 h was -0.4, 4.4, 1.8, -4.1, and 6.8 mmHg in the placebo and four l-NMMA groups, respectively (all P = NS). l-NMMA resulted in modest increases in MAP at 15 min compared with placebo but there were no differences at 2 h.

Cardiogenic Shock: Collaboration Between Cardiac Surgery and Cardiology Subspecialties to Bridge to Recovery

Acute cardiogenic shock is a lethal condition that results in death from myocardial failure, arrhythmia, or combinations of both. Aggressive medical, surgical, and interventional maneuvers have helped reduce the mortality. For the most advanced cases, ventricular assist devices have been used for persistent shock states. The purpose of this report is to describe the collaboration between cardiac surgery and cardiology subspecialty in an effort to promote native heart recovery in a complex case of cardiogenic shock requiring coronary artery bypass surgery, percutaneous coronary intervention, ventricular ablative therapy, and mechanical cardiac support.

Effect of Tilarginine Acetate in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock

Cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (MI) remains a common and lethal disorder despite aggressive use of early revascularization. Systemic inflammation, including expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and generation of excess nitric oxide, is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis and inappropriate vasodilatation of persistent cardiogenic shock. Preliminary, single-center studies suggested a beneficial effect of NOS inhibition on hemodynamics, renal function, and survival in patients with cardiogenic shock. To examine the effects of an isoform-nonselective NOS inhibitor in patients with MI and refractory cardiogenic shock despite establishment of an open infarct artery. International, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Tilarginine Acetate Injection in a Randomized International Study in Unstable MI Patients With Cardiogenic Shock [TRIUMPH]) with planned enrollment of 658 patients at 130 centers. Participants were enrolled between January 2005 and August 2006 when the study was terminated early. Tilarginine (L-N(G)-monomethylarginine [L-NMMA]), 1-mg/kg bolus and 1-mg/kg per hour 5-hour infusion, vs matching placebo. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality among patients who received study medication. Secondary outcomes included shock resolution and duration, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class at 30 days, and 6-month mortality. Enrollment was terminated at 398 patients based on a prespecified futility analysis. Six-month follow-up was completed in February 2007. There was no difference in 30-day all-cause mortality between patients who received tilarginine (97/201 [48%]) vs placebo (76/180 [42%]) (risk ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-1.41; P = .24). Resolution of shock (133/201 [66%] tilarginine vs 110/180 [61%] placebo; P = .31) and duration of shock (median, 156 [interquartile range, 78-759] hours tilarginine vs 190 [100-759] placebo; P = .16) were similar. At 30 days a similar percentage of patients had heart failure (48% tilarginine vs 51% placebo; P = .51) with a similar percentage of those patients in NYHA class I/II (73% tilarginine vs 75% placebo; P = .27). After 6 months mortality rates were similar in the 2 groups (58% tilarginine vs 59% placebo; hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-1.36; P = .80). Tilarginine, 1-mg/kg bolus and 5-hour infusion, did not reduce mortality rates in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock complicating MI despite an open infarct artery. Early mortality rates in this patient group are high. Further research is needed to develop effective therapies for patients with cardiogenic shock following acute MI. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00112281

Bi-Ventricular Circulatory Support With the Abiomed AB5000 System in a Patient With Idiopathic Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation

A 45-year-old man had life-threatening recurrent idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and persistent cardiogenic shock develop. The episodes of ventricular fibrillation were refractory to aggressive medical management; therefore an Abiomed AB5000 bi-ventricular support system was implanted for arrhythmia control. The device was able to maintain hemodynamic stability during the following 2 weeks. The patient was discharged from the hospital with fully recovered cardiac function.

Factors associated with myocardial infarction after emergency endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in high-risk patients: a prospective observational study

Background Because myocardial infarction (MI) after emergency endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding carries high mortality, we investigated factors associated with procedure-related MI in high-risk patients. Methods Consecutive patients with coronary artery disease or age-based risk for coronary artery disease (men, age >45 years; women, >55 years) who underwent emergency endoscopy were enrolled at a single ED. Demographic, laboratory, and outcome data were recorded. Patients fit 1 of 3 groups: MI before endoscopy (pre-panendoscopy [PES] MI), MI after endoscopy (post-PES MI), or non-MI. Results We enrolled 108 high-risk patients, including 5 (4.6%) with MI diagnosed preendoscopy. Five patients (4.6%) had MIs postendoscopy. Compared with non-MI patients, significantly more post-PES MI patients had heart disease (60.0% vs 12.2%; P = .021), lower systolic pressure on arrival (86.2 ± 16.6 vs 128.0 ± 27.2 mm Hg; P = .002), lower diastolic pressure on arrival (50.0 ± 6.3 vs 69.5 ± 15.8 mm Hg; P = .003), lower hemoglobin on arrival (6.7 ± 1.1 vs 9.1 ± 2.4 g/dL; P = .021), and more persistent shock status preendoscopy (80.0% vs 13.3%; P = .002). There was no significant difference in factors including duration of procedure and rates of recurrent bleeding, postprocedure complication, and mortality. Conclusions Heart disease, lower blood pressure or hemoglobin level on arrival, and persistent shock before endoscopy are associated with increased risk for procedure-related MI.

Proteína C ativada no tratamento de recém-nascido com sepse, choque e disfunção de múltiplos órgãos e sistemas: relato de caso e revisão de literatura

Severe sepsis represents the systemic inflammatory response resulting from an infection, associated with one of the following: cardiovascular organ dysfunction, acute respiratory distress syndrome or two or more organ dysfunctions. Although the mortality rate from sepsis in children has steadily decreased in the last decades, the mortality rate in newborns remains high (20% to 40%) despite the development in intensive care. The authors describe a newborn who suffered from sepsis, shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS) that recovered after the administration of activated C protein. A premature newborn underwent cesarean section because of a premature rupture of membranes and acute fetal distress. The newborn developed acute respiratory distress due to intrauterine pneumonia and was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The patient was given mechanical ventilation, exogenous pulmonary surfactant and antibiotics early in the treatment. Nevertheless, he developed persistent pulmonary hypertension and shock. The control of the infection was difficult, despite the adjustment of the antibiotics, resulting in the development of MODS. On the 28th day, activated C protein was given to the patient. The administration of the drug was successful and the patient recovered from the organ dysfunction without bleeding. The activated C protein can't be recommended as a routine in the treatment of newborns with severe sepsis. However, in this case, it contributed to the recovery of the organ dysfunctions presented by the patient.

A MODIFIED GOAL-DIRECTED PROTOCOL IMPROVES CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT PATIENTS WITH SEPTIC SHOCK

We evaluated whether a goal-directed protocol, without measurement of central venous oxygen saturation, would improve survival in medical intensive care unit (ICU) patients with septic shock. This is a prospective, controlled study in a 24-bed medical ICU at a tertiary care hospital. From a total of 241 consecutive patients with septic shock, 224 were randomly assigned to receive therapy with or without a written protocol using central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure, and urine output as therapeutic goals. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Implementation of goal-directed therapy caused a more rapid reversal of persistent shock (47 +/- 22.8 vs. 65.4 +/- 32.1 h, P = 0.006) and decreases of ICU (50% vs. 67.2%, P = 0.009) and in-hospital (53.7% vs. 71.6%, P = 0.006) mortality rates compared with non-goal-directed therapy. Patients receiving goal-directed therapy also had less risk for developing central nervous system or renal failure than patients without. Patients with goal-directed therapy received more fluid during the period of persistent shock (136.2 +/- 119 vs. 88.6 +/- 57.7 mL h, P = 0.034) and less delay in vasopressor administration (78 +/- 22.2 vs. 104.4 +/- 29 min, P = 0.001) than patients with non-goal therapy. Implementation of a goal-directed protocol improves survival and clinical outcomes in ICU patients with septic shock. These benefits may arise from adequate fluid resuscitation, earlier vasopressor administration, rapid shock reversal, and protection of major organ function. With central venous oxygen saturation measurement to detect tissue perfusion, the clinical outcomes may be further improved.

Clinical features, complications and atypical manifestations of children with severe forms of dengue hemorrhagic fever in South India

ObjectiveTo review clinical features and outcome of children with severe forms of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) presenting to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with particular focus on clinical presentation and outcome.MethodsRetrospective chart review of patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a referral children's hospital in South India with DHF over 1.5 years (2001–January 2003).ResultsOf 858 patients with dengue fever/DHF admitted to the hospital during the study period, 109 cases with severe forms of disease required PICU admission, of which 9 patients died. 77 were under 5 years of age. The commonest indication for PICU admission was persistent shock (39 patients) followed by requirement for positive pressure ventilation in 29 patients (10 of whom had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome [ARDS]) and neurological symptoms in 24 patients. An important finding was the presence of diastolic dysfunction in 3 children. Six deaths of refractory shock included 4 who had ARDS and DIC and 2 who had shock with DIC 3 patients had abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) has not been previously described in children with DSS and may lead to fluid refractory shock if not corrected. All patients had thrombocytopenia which was a defining feature of the syndrome, while 74 were also coagulopathic and 6 had severe fatal DIC. Hepatic dysfunction was more severe in children with prolonged shock, however, only a fifth of cases (5/24) with neurological manifestations were in shock. Other significant reasons for neurological presentation included cerebral edema, and encephalopathy secondary to hepatic dysfunction. 2 children had features of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), previously only described in adults with dengue.ConclusionIt was found that complications such as DIC, diastolic dysfunction, abdominal compartment syndrome, ARDS and hepatic dysfunction were more frequent in severe established shock. However, most neurological events were unrelated to the perfusion status. Children referred late were harder to resuscitate. There were 9 PICU deaths (case fatality rate of 8.35%). Severe refractory shock, DIC, ARDS, hepatic failure and neurological manifestations singly or in combination were the commonest causes of death in the present study.

Consumption behavior, asset returns, and risk aversion: Evidence from the Japanese household survey

We estimate both a limited participation model by [Mankiw, N.G., Zeldes, S.P., 1991. The consumption of stock holders and non-stock holders. Journal of Financial Economics 29, 97–112] and a persistent income shock model by [Constantinides, G.M., Duffie, D., 1996. Asset pricing with heterogeneous consumers. Journal of Political Economy 104, 219–240]. This is the first paper to use Japanese income-decile consumption survey data to test the equity premium puzzle. We find that the risk aversion coefficients for higher income level households who own larger equity positions are substantially smaller than those for the representative consumer. We conclude that the equity premium puzzle is partly resolved for Japan by the limited participation model, but not by the persistent income shock model.

Severe Coronary Artery Spasm with Anaphylactoid Shock Caused by Contrast Medium

This study reports 2 cases of severe coronary artery spasm with anaphylactoid shock caused by contrast medium. The first patient had anaphylactoid shock in response to contrast medium and severe coronary spasms of both the left anterior descending coronary artery and the left circumflex coronary artery. The patient developed ventricular arrhythmia and complete atrioventricular block following the severe coronary spasm. The second patient had a totally occluded right coronary artery, owing to a spasm after anaphylactoid shock. Anaphylactoid shock should always be considered when persistent shock is noted after the coronary artery spasm has been relieved.

Fulminanter Myokardinfarkt bei einem ASA-I-Patienten nach Knieoperation in Allgemeinanästhesie

Myocardial ischemia is a major complication in the perioperative period, mostly in patients with high cardiac risks. After non-cardiac surgery myocardial infarction was observed in 5.6% of patients with coronary heart disease, the rate in patients with no cardiac diseases was 0.1-0.7%. We present the case of a 21-year-old ASA I male patient who underwent surgery to reconstruct the cruciate ligament of the knee. General anaesthesia was performed in combination with a femoral nerve block. After surgery the patient suffered from myocardial infarctions on the day of surgery and the 6th day after surgery. After resuscitation, thrombolysis and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), an intraaortic balloon pump had to be temporarily implanted due to persistent cardiogenic shock.

Routine Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass: Reasons for On-Pump Conversion

Objective To assess the feasibility of routine off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) and investigate risk factors for on-pump conversion. Methods Between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2004, OPCAB was attempted for all patients who required isolated coronary artery bypass in our institution. The perioperative results of patients were prospectively entered into a structured database, and the results were analyzed to identify the risks of requirement for cardiopulmonary bypass. Results Off-pump coronary artery bypass was successfully performed in all but 9 patients, giving an OPCAB success rate of 97.3% (329/338). The reason for cardiopulmonary bypass was hemodynamic instability occurring during reoperative surgery in 7, and cardiogenic shock in 2. The OPCAB success rate was significantly higher in primary coronary artery bypass grafting (99.3%, 314/316) than in reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting (68.1%, 15/22; P &lt; 0.0001), and higher in patients without cardiogenic shock (97.9%, 329/336) than in those with cardiogenic shock (0%, 0/2; P &lt; 0.0005). Mean number of distal anastomoses performed under OPCAB was 3.5 ± 1.4. There were 2 hospital deaths (0.6%). During a mean follow-up period of 1.0 ± 0.4 years, 7 patients developed angina, which was treated with catheter intervention; there were no other cardiac events. Conclusion Routine OPCAB is feasible with acceptable short-term results. Patients undergoing reoperation or in persistent cardiogenic shock are more likely to require conversion to on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.