Reduced Hospital Mortality Research Articles

Vitamin C and Thiamine for Sepsis and Septic Shock

BackgroundSepsis and septic shock are medical emergencies resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Intravenous (IV) vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone have shown promise in reducing hospital mortality. The Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) similarly implemented this regimen, called the vitamin C protocol, for patients presenting in sepsis or septic shock in the intensive care unit (ICU). MethodsThis retrospective study in Veteran ICU patients with sepsis or septic shock compared outcomes of patients treated with IV vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone (treatment) with those who received IV hydrocortisone alone (control). Data was propensity matched to ensure comparability at baseline. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was calculated at day of diagnosis (day 0) and daily for 3 subsequent days.At the 24-month follow-up, 12 months after the 1-year-intervention, survival and measures of mental and physical health were collected by telephone interviews. ResultsHospital mortality, the primary outcome, did not differ significantly between groups. Secondary outcomes including ICU, 28-day, and 60-day mortality were also not different, nor were vasopressor duration or hospital length of stay. However, ICU length of stay was significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to control (7.1 vs 15.6 days, respectively, P = 0.04). ConclusionsAlthough no significant mortality benefit was observed, the vitamin C protocol was not associated with patient harm. In this Veteran population, there was reduced ICU length of stay, suggesting possible benefit. Though further investigation is warranted, utilization of IV vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone in patients with sepsis or septic shock may be a treatment option worth considering.

Hospital Mortality of Cardiac Surgery Patients with Infective Endocarditis and Acute Kidney Injury on Renal Replacement Therapy

Infective endocarditis (IE) and acute kidney injury (AKI) are known risk factors in cardiac surgery patients. The rate of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in cardiac surgery patients ranged from 2% to 6% of cases.Objective. To compare the impact of different RRT methods on outcomes in treatment of cardiac surgery patients with and without IE and with acute renal injury.Materials and methods. The study included prospectively 106 patients with AKI who were operated from 2015 to 2018 (40 patients with a diagnosis of IE (IE+), 66 patients with valvular heart disease (IE–)), who required RRT. Patients were randomly assigned to continuous hemodialysis (CHD), slow low efficiency daily hemodialysis (SLEDD), continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVHDF), and high-volume hemofiltration (HVHF). Patients treated with CHD and HVHF were combined into a group of intermittent RRT (n = 57), and patients treated with CVVHDF and SLEDD formed a group of continuous RRT (n = 49). At the same time, patients treated with CHD and SLEDD (n = 46) were grouped into the RRT group based on the diffusion principle, and the CVVHDF and HVHF patients were grouped into the RRT group based on the convection principle (n = 60).Results. RRT before surgery was initiated in 18 (45%) patients in the IE+ group and in 23 patients (34.8%) in the IE–group (p > 0.05). Among these groups 2 (5%) and 4 (6.1%) patients respectively (p > 0.05) died before surgery. The hospital mortality rate in cardiac surgery patients with AKI, who required RRT, was 35.8% (38 patients) and statistically there was no significant difference from the predicted mortality on the APACHE II scale (22 points – 42%, p = 0.192). In this case, hospital mortality in the IE+ group was statistically significantly lower than in the IE– group (7 patients (17.5%) and 31 patients (47%), respectively, p = 0.002). It was found that the use of CVVHDF can statistically significantly reduce hospital mortality in cardiac surgery patients with AKI and IE to 30.9% compared with the predicted mortality on the APACHE II scale (11.1% and 42%, respectively, p = 0.001).Conclusions. The use of CVVHDF in cardiac surgery patients with AKI and IE allowed to reduce hospital mortality compared to APACHE II predicted level, to even lower rates than in cardiac surgery patients with valvular heart disease and AKI.

Health care utilization and mortality associated with heart failure-related admissions among cancer patients.

AimsHeart failure (HF) outcomes continue to improve with widespread use of new therapies. Concurrently, cancer survival has dramatically improved. Yet whether cancer patients share similar strategies and outcomes of inpatient HF treatment to those without HF is unknown. We sought to assess the contemporary impacts of cancer on inpatient HF outcomes over time.Methods and resultsThe retrospective National Inpatient Sample (2003–15) and National Readmissions Database (2013–14) registries were queried for adults admitted for HF and stratified for cancer status, excluding cases of metastatic disease. Temporal trends in HF admissions, hospital charge rates, length of hospitalization, HF‐related procedure utilization, in‐hospital mortality, and hospital readmissions were analysed. Over 13 years of follow‐up, there were 12 769 077 HF admissions (mean age 73 years, 50.8% female, 30.8% non‐White), among which 1 413 287 (11%) had a co‐morbid cancer diagnosis. Cancer patients were older, were predominantly male, and tended to be smokers. Over time, HF admission rates among cancer patients increased, despite a concurrent decrease among patients without cancer (P < 0.0001). After propensity matching, in‐hospital mortality was significantly higher among cancer HF patients (5.1% vs. 2.9%, P < 0.0001). Additionally, HF‐related procedure utilization was disproportionately lower among cancer patients (0.30 vs. 0.35 procedures/HF hospitalization, P < 0.001); the presence of cancer was associated with increased costs, length of hospitalizations, and all‐cause readmissions, but fewer HF readmissions (P < 0.0001, each).ConclusionsWhile the incidence of HF hospitalizations has increased among cancer patients, they do not appear to share the same rates of advanced HF care, readmissions trends, or reductions in in‐hospital mortality. Future studies targeting modifiable factors related to these differences are needed.

Anticoagulation Therapy Using rh-Thrombomodulin and/or Antithrombin III Agent is Associated With Reduction in in-Hospital Mortality in Septic Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation: A Nationwide Registry Study.

We analyzed the Nationwide Registry database on sepsis to examine the effects of an anticoagulation therapy, especially with rh-thrombomodulin (rh-TM) and/or antithrombin (AT) III agent, in septic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) patients. In 3,193 patients enrolled after the exclusion, we investigated the association with in-hospital mortality using Cox proportional hazards models. DIC was diagnosed using the Japanese Association of Acute Medicine (JAAM) and the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) criteria. To analyze the separate treatment effects of rh-TM and/or AT III, we excluded the data of 345 patients treated with all available anticoagulation treatments (rh-TM and/or AT III plus "other anticoagulants": protease inhibitors and heparin/heparinoids). The DIC criterion populations were as follows: JAAM DICs, n = 1,891 and ISTH DICs (overt DIC), n = 1,002. Septic DIC patients were divided into 3 groups: Group 1, no anticoagulation therapy for DIC; Group 2, received rh-TM and/or AT III; and Group 3, received only "other anticoagulants." In JAAM DIC patients, Group 2 did not show an independent association with a reduced risk of in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73-1.01]) as compared with Group 1. However, in ISTH DIC patients, Group 2 showed an inverse association with the risk of in-hospital mortality (HR 0.74; 95% CI: 0.60-0.92) as compared with Group 1, but the same was not true for Group 3 (HR 0.73; 95% CI: 0.47-1.14). The present results support previous findings of the beneficial effects of anticoagulation therapies in septic DIC, also expands the importance of using rh-TM and/or AT agent for septic overt DIC.

Effect of Chronic Hematologic Malignancies on In-Hospital Outcomes of Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

In view of hemorrhagic and prothrombotic tendencies, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with chronic hematologic malignancies (CHM) are felt to be at a higher risk and hence denied standard reperfusion strategies. In-hospital outcomes of CHM patients presenting with STEMI are unclear. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample data files from 2003 to 2014 were used to extract adult patients who presented with a primary diagnosis of STEMI. Patients who had a diagnosis of CHM defined as chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, chronic monocytic leukemia, and multiple myeloma were identified. The primary study outcome measure was in-hospital mortality. Inverse probability weighting-adjusted binary logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Of 2,715,807 STEMI patients included in the final analyses, 11,974 (0.4%) patients had a diagnosis of CHM. Patients with CHM were significantly older, had a higher prevalence of co-morbidities, and had a significantly higher unadjusted in-hospital mortality (14.9% vs 9.0%; p <0.001). After adjusting for co-morbidities, CHM did not independently predict a higher in-hospital mortality (odds ratio = 1.02, 95% confidence interval = 0.96 to 1.09; p = 0.461). In patients with CHM who presented with STEMI, percutaneous coronary intervention was found to be associated with a significant reduction in in-hospital mortality (odds ratio = 0.22, 95% confidence interval = 0.18 to 0.27; p <0.001) (c-statistic = 0.81). In conclusion, CHM patients presenting with STEMI should be treated with similar treatment strategies as those without CHM, including revascularization if indicated, as there appears to be a sizable outcome advantage with this approach.

Meta-analysis of the effects of helmet-assisted non-invasive ventilation in the treatment of acute respiratory failure.

To study the efficacy of helmet-assisted non-invasive ventilation and conventional ventilation in the treatment of acute respiratory failure (ARF). Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase and CNKI databases were searched for randomized controlled trials and case-control trials of helmet-assisted noninvasive ventilation in the treatment of ARF. The outcome measures included respiratory rate, intubation rate, complication rate, mortality rate and arterial blood gas analysis of the commonly used indicators (PaCO2/ PaO2 / pH). The results of the included studies' odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidential interval (CI) were analyzed using Stata software. The results of the analysis showed that the in-hospital mortality, intubation rate and complication rate were all significantly decreased with the p-value less than 0.05, which was statistically significant. Helmet-assisted noninvasive ventilation can significantly reduce hospital mortality, intubation rate and complication rate, improving the survival rate and prognosis of patients with ARF.

Ways to improve the immediate results of treating complicated colon cancer in elderly and senile patients

The article analyzes the results of treating 545 elderly and senile patients with complicated forms of colon cancer and severe concomitant pathology. Depending on the method of surgical treatment, the patients were divided into two groups. The control group consisted of 408 patients, who were performed traditional surgery without investigating the Tei index. The patients of the main group were operated using endovideosurgical technologies. In addition, the calculation of systolic-diastolic ratio by means of Doppler echocardiography was carried out. Measuring the Tei index allowed correcting cardiovascular risk in the perioperative period, thereby increasing operability and reducing the number of postoperative cardiac complications. The use of minimally invasive methods of surgical treatment for colon cancer contributed to a decrease in the frequency of postoperative complications. Thus, it contributed to reducing hospital mortality from 29.9% to 2.2%.

Antegrade selective cerebral perfusion reduced in-hospital mortality and permanent focal neurological deficit in patients with elective aortic arch surgery†.

We retrospectively evaluated the outcome after elective aortic arch surgery with circulatory arrest to determine the impact of different brain protection strategies on neurological outcome and early and late survival. A total of 925 patients were included. The patients were assigned to 2 groups based on the type of cerebral protection strategy used during circulatory arrest [hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) n = 224; antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (ASCP) n = 701]. The propensity score matching (1:1; 210 vs 210 patients) approach was used to minimize selection bias and to obtain comparable groups. The overall in-hospital mortality and permanent focal neurological deficit rates were 5.6% (n = 52) and 5.4% (n = 50) and were significantly lower in patients who received ASCP (4.4% and 3.4%, respectively) as compared to those who underwent HCA (9.4% and 11.6%, respectively) (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001). The propensity-matched analysis showed significantly lower rates of in-hospital mortality [3.8% vs 9.5% (HCA)] and permanent focal neurological deficit in ASCP group [2.9% vs 11.9% (HCA)]. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed left ventricular ejection fraction <30%, age >70 years, coronary artery disease, circulatory arrest time >40 min and mitral valve disease as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. The use of ASCP was protective for early survival. Cox regression analysis revealed that long-term mortality was independently predicted by age, left ventricular ejection fraction <30%, total arch replacement, prior cardiac surgery, PVD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and previous stroke, whereas ASCP was protective for late survival. Elective aortic arch surgery is associated with acceptable early and late outcomes. The ASCP is associated with a significant reduction in-hospital mortality and occurrence of permanent neurological deficits.

Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (CPAP or bilevel NPPV) for cardiogenic pulmonary oedema.

Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) has been used to treat respiratory distress due to acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (ACPE). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis update on NPPV for adults presenting with ACPE. To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of NPPV compared to standard medical care (SMC) for adults with ACPE. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Important secondary outcomes were endotracheal intubation, treatment intolerance, hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, rates of acute myocardial infarction, and adverse event rates. We searched CENTRAL (CRS Web, 20 September 2018), MEDLINE (Ovid, 1946 to 19 September 2018), Embase (Ovid, 1974 to 19 September 2018), CINAHL Plus (EBSCO, 1937 to 19 September 2018), LILACS, WHO ICTRP, and clinicaltrials.gov. We also reviewed reference lists of included studies. We applied no language restrictions. We included blinded or unblinded randomised controlled trials in adults with ACPE. Participants had to be randomised to NPPV (continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel NPPV) plus standard medical care (SMC) compared with SMC alone. Two review authors independently screened and selected articles for inclusion. We extracted data with a standardised data collection form. We evaluated the risks of bias of each study using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool. We assessed evidence quality for each outcome using the GRADE recommendations. We included 24 studies (2664 participants) of adult participants (older than 18 years of age) with respiratory distress due to ACPE, not requiring immediate mechanical ventilation. People with ACPE presented either to an Emergency Department or were inpatients. ACPE treatment was provided in an intensive care or Emergency Department setting. There was a median follow-up of 13 days for hospital mortality, one day for endotracheal intubation, and three days for acute myocardial infarction. Compared with SMC, NPPV may reduce hospital mortality (risk ratio (RR) 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 to 0.82; participants = 2484; studies = 21; I2 = 6%; low quality of evidence) with a number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) of 17 (NNTB 12 to 32). NPPV probably reduces endotracheal intubation rates (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.62; participants = 2449; studies = 20; I2 = 0%; moderate quality of evidence) with a NNTB of 13 (NNTB 11 to 18). There is probably little or no difference in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) incidence with NPPV compared to SMC for ACPE (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.16; participants = 1313; studies = 5; I2 = 0%; moderate quality of evidence). We are uncertain as to whether NPPV increases hospital length of stay (mean difference (MD) -0.31 days, 95% CI -1.23 to 0.61; participants = 1714; studies = 11; I2 = 55%; very low quality of evidence). Adverse events were generally similar between NPPV and SMC groups, but evidence was of low quality. Our review provides support for continued clinical application of NPPV for ACPE, to improve outcomes such as hospital mortality and intubation rates. NPPV is a safe intervention with similar adverse event rates to SMC alone. Additional research is needed to determine if specific subgroups of people with ACPE have greater benefit of NPPV compared to SMC. Future research should explore the benefit of NPPV for ACPE patients with hypercapnia.

Vitamin C alone does not improve treatment outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: a retrospective cohort study.

Vitamin C has shown several beneficial effects on sepsis in preclinical studies. However, clinical data supporting these reports are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate whether adjunctive intravenous vitamin C therapy could reduce hospital mortality in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock requiring mechanical ventilation. For this retrospective cohort study, consecutive medical ICU patients with severe sepsis or septic shock requiring mechanical ventilation were included. The study patients were classified into the vitamin C or control groups depending on the administration of intravenous vitamin C (2 g every 8 hours). The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Thirty-five patients in the vitamin C group and 40 patients in the control group were included. The two groups were comparable in regards to the baseline characteristics at ICU admission. The hospital mortality was 46% (16 of 35 patients) in the vitamin C group and 40% (16 of 40 patients) in the control group, showing a statistically nonsignificant difference (P=0.62). The mortality at 90 days after ICU admission (60% vs. 48%) did not significantly differ between groups. The median time to shock reversal was 3 days [interquartile range (IQR), 2 to 5 days] in both groups. The changes in the Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores during the first 4 ICU days were -1.4±3.3 and -1.4±3.0 in the vitamin C and control groups, respectively. Adjunctive intravenous vitamin C therapy alone did not reduce hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Impact of bariatric surgery on heart failure mortality

BackgroundThe impact of bariatric surgery on discrete cardiovascular events has not been well characterized. ObjectivesTo assess the impact of prior bariatric surgery on mortality associated with heart failure (HF) admission. SettingA retrospective analysis of 2007–2014 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project—Nationwide Inpatient Sample. MethodsParticipants including 2810 patients with a principal discharge diagnosis of HF who also had a history of prior bariatric surgery were identified. These patients were matched 1:5 with patients who had similar principal diagnoses but no history of bariatric surgery (controls). Propensity scores, balanced on baseline characteristics, were used to assemble 2 control groups. Control group-1 included patients with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥35 kg/m2) only. In control group-2, the BMI was considered as one of the matching criteria in propensity matching. Multivariate regression models were utilized to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of mortality and length of stay (LOS). ResultsWith well-balanced matching, 33,720 (weighted) patients were included in the analysis. In-hospital mortality rates after HF admission were significantly lower in patients with a history of bariatric surgery compared with control group-1 (0.96% versus 1.86%, OR .52, 95% CI .35–0.77, P = .0013) and control group-2 (0.96% versus 1.86%, OR .52, 95% CI .35–0.77, P = .0011). Furthermore, LOS was shorter in the bariatric surgery group compared with control group-1 (4.8 ± 4.4 versus 5.7 ± 5.7 d, P < .001) and control group-2 (4.8 ± 4.4 versus 5.4 ± 6.3 d, P < .001). ConclusionsOur data suggest that prior bariatric surgery is associated with almost 50% reduction in in-hospital mortality and shorter LOS in patients with HF admission.

A life support-based comprehensive treatment regimen dramatically lowers the in-hospital mortality of patients with fulminant myocarditis: a multiple center study.

Fulminant myocarditis (FM) has unacceptable high mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a life support-based comprehensive treatment regimen (LSBCTR), a completely novel treatment regimen, for FM. A total of 169 FM patients recruited from January 2008 to December 2018 were divided into two groups: patients receiving LSBCTR (81 cases), which includes (i) mechanical life support (positive pressure respiration, intra-aortic balloon pump with or without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), (ii) immunomodulation therapy using sufficient doses of glucocorticoids and immunoglobulins, and (iii) application of neuraminidase inhibitors, and those receiving conventional treatment (88 cases). The endpoints were in-hospital death and heart-transplantation. Of all the population, 44 patients (26.0%) died in hospitals. In-hospital mortality was 3.7% (3/81) for LSBCTR group and 46.6% (41/88) for traditional treatment (P<0.001). Early application of LSBCTR, mechanical life support, neuraminidase inhibitors, and immunomodulation therapy significantly contributed to reduction in in-hospital mortality. This study describes a novel treatment regimen for FM patients that dramatically reduces in-hospital mortality. Its generalization and clinical application will efficiently save lives although further optimization is needed. This study offers an insight that virus infection induced inflammatory waterfall results in cardiac injury and cardiogenic shock and is the therapeutic target.

Risk factors for mortality in elderly and very elderly critically ill patients with sepsis: a prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study

BackgroundAge has been traditionally considered a risk factor for mortality in elderly patients admitted to intensive care units. The aim of this prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study is to determine the risk factors for mortality in elderly and very elderly critically ill patients with sepsis.ResultsA total of 1490 patients with ≥ 65 years of age were included in the study; most of them 1231 (82.6%) had a cardiovascular failure. The mean age (± SD) was 74.5 (± 5.6) years, and 876 (58.8%) were male. The patients were divided into two cohorts: (1) elderly: 65–79 years and (2) very elderly: ≥ 80 years. The overall hospital mortality was 48.8% (n = 727) and was significantly higher in very elderly compared to elderly patients (54.2% vs. 47.4%; p = 0.02). Factors independently associated with mortality were APACHE II score of the disease, patient location at sepsis diagnosis, development of acute kidney injury, and thrombocytopenia in the group of elderly patients. On the other hand, in the group of very elderly patients, predictors of hospital mortality were age, APACHE II score, and prompt adherence of the resuscitation bundle.ConclusionThis prospective multicenter study found that patients aged 80 or over had higher hospital mortality compared to patients between 65 and 79 years. Age was found to be an independent risk factor only in the very elderly group, and prompt therapy provided within the first 6 h of resuscitation was associated with a reduction in hospital mortality in the very elderly patients.

Recording Vital and Laboratory Parameters and the Risk of Death in Children Admitted to First- and Second-Level Hospitals for Emergency Medical Care: A Case-Control Study

Background. Diagnostic mistakes due to incomplete examination of patients are the leading cause of death. The prevalence of such mistakes and their association with treatment outcomes in our country remain uninvestigated.Objective. Our aim was to study the frequency of recording vital and laboratory parameters and its relationship with death in children admitted to a hospital for emergency medical care.Methods. In our case-control study we analysed the data of medical records of an inpatient (Form 003/u) — patients for intensive care at the age of 0–17 years who were admitted to first-level (n = 13) and second-level (n = 5) hospitals of the Rostov Region (except for Rostov-on-Don) in 2006–2017. We considered the frequency of recording vital (heart rate, respiration rate; blood pressure; oxygen saturation of arterial blood; body temperature) and laboratory (blood count, haemoglobin, hematocrit, total protein, glucose, urea, creatinine, pH, pCO2, pO2, BE, sodium and potassium levels) parameters upon admission to in-patient hospital and when transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). The association of the frequency of recording these parameters with hospital outcome was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for the effect of confounders (consultation by a resuscitationist of the resuscitation and consultation centre; the level of healthcare facility; admission time; the presence of infectious diseases and diseases that occurred in the perinatal period; the level of consciousness; the duration of the underlying disease before admission; the method of admission to a healthcare facility).Results. We studied the data of 61 children with a favourable (discharged from healthcare facilities) and 90 children with a fatal outcome in the in-patient hospital (76 — in the ICU). A fatal outcome in the in-patient hospital was associated with records of BE [odds ratio (OR) 3.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–8.46)], total protein level (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.05–0.79), urea (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.06–0.87) and creatinine (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.08–0.67) upon admission. A fatal outcome in the ICU was associated with records of systolic (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.14–0.94) and diastolic (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.12–0.80) blood pressure, SpO2 (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.15–0.93) and body temperature (OR 0.32; 95% CI 0.11–0.90) upon admission to the unit.Conclusion. The association of the outcome with recording of vital (blood pressure, SpO2 and body temperature upon admission to the ICU) and laboratory (BE, total protein, urea, creatinine upon admission to a healthcare facility) parameters in children admitted to a hospital for emergency medical care indicates the need to control their clinical and paraclinic examination. A more complete examination of these children may be a reserve for reducing hospital mortality.

Organizational factors associated with target sedation on the first 48\u2009h of mechanical ventilation: an analysis of checklist-ICU database

BackgroundAlthough light sedation levels are associated with several beneficial outcomes for critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation, the majority of patients are still deeply sedated. Organizational factors may play a role on adherence to light sedation levels. We aimed to identify organizational factors associated with a moderate to light sedation target on the first 48 h of mechanical ventilation, as well as the association between early achievement of within-target sedation and mortality.MethodsThis study is a secondary analysis of a multicenter two-phase study (prospective cohort followed by a cluster-randomized controlled trial) performed in 118 Brazilian ICUs. We included all critically ill patients who were on mechanical ventilation 48 h after ICU admission.A moderate to light level of sedation or being alert and calm (i.e., the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale of − 3 to 0) was the target for all patients on mechanical ventilation during the study period. We collected data on the type of hospital (public, private, profit and private, nonprofit), hospital teaching status, nursing and physician staffing, and presence of sedation, analgesia, and weaning protocols. We used multivariate random-effects regression with ICU and study phase as random-effects and correction for patients’ Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment. We also performed a mediation analysis to explore whether sedation level was just a mediator of the association between organizational factors and mortality.ResultsWe included 5719 patients. Only 1710 (29.9%) were on target sedation levels on day 2. Board-certified intensivists on the morning and afternoon shifts were associated with an adequate sedation level on day 2 (OR = 2.43; CI 95%, 1.09–5.38). Target sedation levels were associated with reduced hospital mortality (OR = 0.63; CI 95%, 0.55–0.72). Mediation analysis also suggested such an association, but did not suggest a relationship between the physician staffing model and hospital mortality.ConclusionsBoard-certified intensivists on morning and afternoon shifts were associated with an increased number of patients achieving lighter sedation goals. These findings reinforce the importance of organizational factors, such as intensivists’ presence, as a modifiable quality improvement target.

Chest physiotherapy for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: A meta-analysis

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains a frequent and severe complication in mechanically ventilated patients. We undertook a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of chest physiotherapy (CPT) for the prevention of VAP. A systematic literature search of PubMed and Embase databases were searched up until November 25, 2018 for published studies of mechanically ventilated patients comparing CPT with controls and reporting on the occurrence of VAP. Two authors independently selected studies and abstracted data on study quality and outcomes. We pooled data using random-effects models. A total of 6 randomized (n = 704) controlled trials were identified. CPT did not significantly reduce the incidence of VAP (risk ratio = 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.26; P = .87), but reduced hospital mortality (risk ratio = 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.95; P = .02). No significant differences were observed regarding intensive care unit mortality, length of intensive care unit stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation. CPT may not significantly reduce the incidence of VAP and alter other important clinical outcomes in adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously owing to the heterogeneity and the limited trials. Further large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed.

Incidence, Mortality, and Outcome-Predictors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Complicating Myocardial Infarction Prior to Hospital Admission.

Mortality of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) decreased drastically, mainly through reduction in inhospital mortality. Prehospital sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) became one of the most feared complications. We assessed the incidence, outcome, and prognosis' predictors of prehospital SCA occurring after emergency medical services (EMS) arrival. Data were taken between 2006 and 2014 from the e-MUST study (Evaluation en Médecine d'Urgence des Strategies Thérapeutiques des infarctus du myocarde) that enrolls all STEMI managed by EMS in the Greater Paris Area, including those dead before hospital admission. Among 13 253 STEMI patients analyzed, 749 (5.6%) presented EMS-witnessed prehospital SCA. Younger age, absence of cardiovascular risk factors, symptoms of heart failure, extensive STEMI, and short pain onset-to-call and call-to-EMS arrival delays were independently associated with increased SCA risk. Mortality rate at hospital discharge was 4.0% in the nonSCA group versus 37.7% in the SCA group ( P<0.001); 26.8% of deaths occurred before hospital admission. Factors associated with increased mortality after SCA were age, heart failure, and extensive STEMI, while male sex and cardiovascular risk factors were associated with decreased mortality. Among patients admitted alive, PCI was the most important mortality-reduction predictor (odds ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.25-0.63; P<0.0001). More than 1 of 20 STEMI presents prehospital SCA after EMS arrival. SCA occurrence is associated with a 10-fold higher mortality at hospital discharge compared with STEMI without SCA. PCI is the strongest survival predictor, leading to a twice-lower mortality. This highlights the persistently dramatic impact of SCA on STEMI and the major importance of PCI in this setting.

Continuous EEG Monitoring, Despite Being Associated with Reduced Hospital Mortality, Remains Underused in Critically Ill

Continuous EEG Monitoring, Despite Being Associated with Reduced Hospital Mortality, Remains Underused in Critically Ill

Muscle Mass and Mortality After Cardiac Transplantation.

Frailty assessment is recommended to evaluate the candidacy of adults referred for orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Psoas muscle area (PMA) is an easily measured biomarker for frailty. There has yet to be a study examining the prognostic impact of PMA in OHT patients. In this retrospective study, preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were retrieved for adults transplanted between 2000 and 2015 at a tertiary care hospital. Psoas muscle area was measured on a single axial image. Outcomes of interest were all-cause mortality over 6 years and a composite of in-hospital mortality or major morbidity (prolonged ventilation, stroke, dialysis, mediastinitis, or reoperation). Of 161 adult patients transplanted, 82 had at least 1 abdominal CT scan. At baseline, mean PMA was 25.7 ± 5.8 cm in men and 16.0 ± 3.6 cm in women, and decreased by 8% from the first to the last available CT scan. Adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and cardiomyopathy etiology, every 1-cm increase in PMA was found to be associated with a 9% reduction in long-term mortality (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-0.99; P = 0.031) and a 17% reduction in in-hospital mortality or major morbidity (odds ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.96; P = 0.014). When PMA was smaller than the sex-specific median, the risk of mortality or major morbidity increased fourfold (odds ratio, 4.29; 95% CI, 1.19-15.46; P = 0.026). Muscle mass is an independent predictor of mortality and major morbidity after OHT. Further research is needed to determine whether frail OHT patients with low PMA may benefit from muscle-building interventions to improve outcomes.

Higher PEEP improves outcomes in ARDS patients with clinically objective positive oxygenation response to PEEP: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains high. These patients require mechanical ventilation strategies that include high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). It remains controversial whether high PEEP can improve outcomes for ARDS patients, especially patients who show improvement in oxygenation in response to PEEP. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the effects of high PEEP on ARDS patients.MethodsWe electronically searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported in the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, CINAHL and Web of Science databases from January 1990 to December 2017. Meta-analyses of the effects of PEEP on survival in adults with ARDS were conducted using the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.ResultsA total of 3612 patients from nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. There were 1794 and 1818 patients in the high and low PEEP groups, respectively. Hospital mortality showed no significant difference between the high and low PEEP groups (RR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.07; P = 0.26). Similar results were found for 28-d mortality (RR = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.07; P = 0.19) and ICU mortality (RR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.07; P = 0.15). The risk of clinically objectified barotrauma was not significantly different between the high and low PEEP groups (RR = 1.24; 95% CI, 0.74 to 2.09, P = 0.41). In the subgroup of ARDS patients who responded to increased PEEP by improved oxygenation (from 6 RCTs), high PEEP significantly reduced hospital mortality (RR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.69 to 0.98; P = 0.03), ICU mortality (RR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.98; P = 0.04),but the 28-d mortality was not decreased(RR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.01; P = 0.07). For ARDS patients in the low PEEP group who received a PEEP level lower than 10 cmH2O (from 6 RCTs), ICU mortality was lower in the high PEEP group than the low PEEP group (RR = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.94; P = 0.02).ConclusionsFor ARDS patients who responded to increased PEEP by improved oxygenation, high PEEP could reduce hospital mortality, ICU mortality and 28-d mortality. High PEEP does not increase the risk of clinically objectified barotrauma.