Am J Crit Care 2001 Jul;10(4):294-5
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PMID: 11432220, UI: 21325714
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Am J Crit Care 2001 Jul;10(4):285-93
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Fla., USA.
HF is a prevalent and debilitating disease, affecting nearly 5 million patients and perhaps an equal number with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction who are at high risk of atrial fibrillation developing. An estimated 550,000 new cases occur every year. HF is the most common diagnosis in hospitalized patients aged 65 and over and is a major cause of death. The median survival after onset is 1.7 years in men and 3.2 years in women. The majority of cardiac deaths in patients with HF are sudden and arrhythmogenic: the rest are due to progressive hemodynamic deterioration. A significant advance in the past decade has been the recognition of the importance of inhibiting the neurohormonal action in HF with the use of beta-blockers, angiotensin receptor, and aldosterone antagonists. In addition, a new concept in HF therapy has evolved. The view that chronic HF is an irreversible, end-stage process is being supplanted by the fact that it is possible to effect biological improvement in the intrinsic defects of function and structure in hearts afflicted with chronic HF. Reversibility of HF has been reported by (1) unloading the failing heart using an LVAD, (2) the sophisticated use of diuretic combinations and neurohormonal blocking drugs, or (3) employing continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration. Thus it is now possible to reverse a process that has long been considered irreversible. Exercise programs designed for patients with HF that have been advocated recently can be difficult to apply. Fine tuning of an exercise regimen is required because a reduction in cardiac work is mandatory when treating HF, where the concern is that the heart may not be capable of supplying the metabolic needs of the body, even in resting states. Finally, although not emphasized in the recent literature on HF, the use of diuretics and sodium restriction continue to be the mainstays of therapy without which compensation of HF is not possible.
PMID: 11432217, UI: 21325711
Am J Crit Care 2001 Jul;10(4):281-4
School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif., USA.
PMID: 11432216, UI: 21325710
Am J Crit Care 2001 Jul;10(4):276-80
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pa., USA.
BACKGROUND: Fever in critically ill patients is often treated with antipyretics or physical cooling methods. Although fever is a host defense response that may benefit some critically ill patients, others may not tolerate the cardiovascular demands associated with fever. OBJECTIVES: To compare antipyretics and physical cooling for their effects on core body temperature and cardiovascular responses in critically ill patients. METHODS: The antipyretic administered was 650 mg of acetaminophen. Physical cooling was accomplished by anterior placement of a cooling blanket at 18 degrees C. Core temperature and cardiovascular responses were measured in 14 febrile (body temperature, 38.8 degrees C) critically ill patients at baseline before treatment and up to 3 hours after treatment. Patients able to receive acetaminophen were randomly assigned to receive either acetaminophen only (n = 5) or acetaminophen in combination with a cooling blanket (n = 3). Patients not able to receive acetaminophen were treated with physical cooling only (n = 6). RESULTS: Mean body temperature decreased minimally from baseline to 3 hours after treatment in the physical-cooling-only group (from 39.1 degrees C to 39.0 degrees C) and in the physical cooling and acetaminophen group (from 39.1 degrees C to 38.6 degrees C), but the mean body temperature increased in the acetaminophen-only group (from 39.2 degrees C to 39.4 degrees C). Other notable findings included a slight increase in systemic vascular resistance index in the physical-cooling-only group and in the physical-cooling-plus-acetaminophen group. CONCLUSIONS: Although the study included only 14 subjects, the findings will provide information for future studies in febrile critically ill patients.
PMID: 11432215, UI: 21325709
Am J Crit Care 2001 Jul;10(4):252-9
Heart and Lung Transplant Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the acute pain experiences of traumatically injured critically ill patients. OBJECTIVES: To describe pain experiences of traumatically injured adults during the first 72 hours of hospitalization. METHODS: Thirty multiply injured adults at a level I trauma center participated in the study. Pain was measured by using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and a visual analog scale. Subjects completed pain measures while at rest in a supine recumbent position and after a turn onto the side. RESULTS: The typical subject was 37 years old, had 4 major blunt trauma injuries, and had received the equivalent of 55.9 mg of morphine during the 24 hours before data collection. Mean at-rest scores were 26.5 on the pain-rating index, 2 on the present pain intensity index, and 34.6 on the visual analog scale. Immediately after the turn, mean scores on the visual analog scale increased from 25 to 48.1 (P = .002). Other pain scores after the turn did not differ significantly from at-rest values. Subjects who turned had lower scores on the visual analog scale at rest (P = .02) and less anxiety (P = .02) than did those who refused to turn. Ninety-six percent reported pain in the injured areas, and 36% reported pain related to biomedical devices. No relationship was found among reported pain and demographic, treatment, or clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS: Additional research is needed on pain at rest and during commonly performed procedures and on improved methods for pain relief in traumatically injured critically ill patients.
PMID: 11432213, UI: 21325707
Am J Crit Care 2001 Jul;10(4):238-51
Critical Care/Trauma Graduate Nursing Program, University of California, San Francisco, Calif., USA.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the painfulness of procedures commonly performed in acute and critical care settings. OBJECTIVE: To describe pain associated with turning, wound drain removal, tracheal suctioning, femoral catheter removal, placement of a central venous catheter, and nonburn wound dressing change and frequency of use of analgesics during procedures. METHODS: A comparative, descriptive design was used. Numeric rating scales were used to measure pain intensity and procedural distress; word lists, to measure pain quality. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 6201 patients: 176 younger than 18 years and 5957 adults. Mean pain intensity scores for turning and tracheal suctioning were 2.80 and 3.00, respectively (scale, 0-5), for 4- to 7-year-olds and 52.0 and 28.1 (scale, 0-100) for 8- to 12-year-olds. For adolescents, mean pain intensity scores for wound dressing change, turning, tracheal suctioning, and wound drain removal were 5 to 7 (scale, 0-10); mean procedural distress scores were 4.83 to 6.00 (scale, 0-10). In adults, mean pain intensity scores for all procedures were 2.65 to 4.93 (scale, 0-10); mean procedural distress scores were 1.89 to 3.47 (scale, 0-10). The most painful and distressing procedures were turning for adults and wound care for adolescents. Procedural pain was often described as sharp, stinging, stabbing, shooting, and awful. Less than 20% of patients received opiates before procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Procedural pain varies considerably and is procedure specific. Because procedures are performed so often, more individualized attention to preparation for and control of procedural pain is warranted.
PMID: 11432212, UI: 21325706
Crit Care Clin 2001 Jul;17(3):721-42, ix
Department of General Oncologic Surgery, Division of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA.
Surgical evaluation of and therapy for the critically ill cancer patient continue to present significant challenges despite, or perhaps in part because of, an ongoing technologic refinement of therapeutic modalities within a modern ICU.
PMID: 11525055, UI: 21416761
Crit Care Clin 2001 Jul;17(3):671-95
Intensive Care Unit, Department of Respiratory Diseases, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is evolving into a treatment modality with expanding indications and volume and with excellent outcomes, although it carries significant risk for morbidity and mortality affecting most major organ systems and often requires ICU care. With continuing improvements in supportive care and specific therapy of complications following HCT including the open-lung strategy of mechanical ventilation, use of nitric oxide, less toxic myeloablative regimens, newer classes of antibiotics, and improved immunosuppression strategies, it is hoped that mortality in this setting will continue to decline in coming years.
PMID: 11525053, UI: 21416759
Crit Care Clin 2001 Apr;17(2):453-67
Center for Pulmonary Heart Disease, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Pulmonary hypertension has many causes and therapies. A meticulous evaluation is critical. Substantial advances in medical therapy have occurred over the past decade, and the future treatment of this syndrome is promising, with many new medications on the horizon.
PMID: 11450326, UI: 21344224
Crit Care Clin 2001 Apr;17(2):271-91
Section of Cardiology, Rush-St. Luke's Medical Center, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
The pulmonary artery catheter is an invasive hemodynamic monitor that can provide diagnostic information in situations where history and physical examination are inconclusive. Assisting the physician in therapeutic decisions has added to its clinical value. Understanding the information it provides and making thoughtful therapeutic decisions lie at the core of its use. Despite its use, the PA catheter has been the center of great controversy. Clearly the paucity of prospective randomized trials proving its efficacy is alarming. The inability of physicians to interpret the provided data properly is also unacceptable. Although instituting a moratorium on its use may be extreme, limiting its use to approved indications seems more appropriate. In the future, ready availability of other less invasive methods such as echocardiography may allow clinicians to become less reliant on the PA catheter. Until then, clinicians would be served best by comprehending the intricacies and the limitations of this sophisticated instrument.
PMID: 11450316, UI: 21344214
Crit Care Clin 2001 Apr;17(2):253-70, v
Sections of Cardiology and Critical Care, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Echocardiography has become an invaluable tool in the management of critically ill patients. Its safety and portability allow for use at the bedside to provide rapid, detailed information regarding the cardiovascular system. Echocardiography can elucidate cardiac structure and mechanical function. Recently, the power of clinical echocardiography has been augmented by the use of Doppler techniques to evaluate cardiovascular hemodynamics. An in-depth understanding of the proper use of echocardiography is a prerequisite for the intensivist.
PMID: 11450315, UI: 21344213
Intensive Care Med 2001 May;27(5):950-1
PMID: 11430564, UI: 21323273
Intensive Care Med 2001 May;27(5):948-9
PMID: 11430563, UI: 21323272
Intensive Care Med 2001 May;27(5):930-3
Ege University Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey.
OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical profiles and therapies instituted for patients with acute amitraz intoxication. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Ten patients admitted to the ICU of Ege University Hospital. RESULTS: Ten patients between 4 and 34 years of age were evaluated. The intoxication was the result of a suicide attempt in five cases and accidental in the rest. Altered consciousness, nausea, vomiting and dizziness were the common initial symptoms. The major clinical findings in the ICU were somnolence, coma, miosis, mydriasis, bradycardia, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and hypo- and hyperthermia. Blood glucose level was increased significantly in three cases and urinary output was increased in two. The length of stay was between 2 and 5 days. CONCLUSION: The signs and symptoms of acute amitraz intoxication appear rapidly and become established within hours. The initially severe clinical situation improves fast. Cases of this rare mode of intoxication should be carefully followed and treated in the ICU.
PMID: 11430553, UI: 21323262
Intensive Care Med 2001 May;27(5):853-8
Department of Critical Care, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine 04102, USA. RikerR@mail.mmc.org
OBJECTIVE: To validate the Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Bispectral Index (BIS) in adult ICU patients after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective study comparing blinded evaluations of the SAS, VAS and BIS. SETTING: Forty-two-bed multidisciplinary ICU. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 39 adults after cardiac surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Bispectral Index 3.2 was continuously recorded using the Aspect A-1000 and evaluators were blinded to this value. The bedside nurse and a trained researcher independently rated wakefulness using a 100 mm VAS upon patient arrival on the ICU, at first awakening, when ventilator weaning was started and after extubation; the researcher also evaluated patients using SAS. Upon arrival on the ICU, the median SAS score was 2 (interquartile range = 1-3), the mean VAS was 26+/-30 and the mean BIS was 70+/-16. Twenty-four patients underwent a trial of weaning from mechanical ventilation with a SAS of 4 (IQR = 4), VAS of 86+/-12 and BIS of 87+/-10. SAS correlated well with VAS performed by one researcher (r = 0.91, p < 0.001) or by 19 different bedside nurses (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) and with BIS 3.2 (r = 0.60, p < 0.001). The correlation between SAS and BIS was reduced in patients with above average electromyogram (EMG) power. As a measure of construct validity, significant differences were noted for the BIS, SAS, VAS and EMG between ICU arrival and extubation (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sedation-Agitation Scale and BIS are valid measures of wakefulness after cardiac surgery, but EMG interference may affect the accuracy of BIS for a small percentage of patients not receiving neuromuscular blockade.
PMID: 11430541, UI: 21323250
Intensive Care Med 2001 May;27(5):828-35
Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Guy's Hospital, London, UK. adurward@doctors.org.uk
OBJECTIVE: Stewart's physicochemical approach to acid-base balance defines the aetiology of a metabolic acidosis by quantifying anions of tissue acids (TA), which consist of unmeasured anions (UMA) and/or lactate. We hypothesised that an increase in TA during metabolic acidosis would lead to a compensatory fall in the plasma chloride (Cl) relative to sodium (Cl:Na ratio) in order to preserve electro-neutrality. Thus, the Cl:Na ratio could be used as a simple alternative to the anion gap in identifying raised TA. PATIENTS: Two hundred and eighty two consecutive patients who were admitted to our Paediatric Intensive Care were enrolled in the study. INTERVENTIONS: We obtained 540 samples (admission n = 282, 24 h n = 258) for analysis of blood chemistry, lactate and quantification of TA and UMA. Samples were subgrouped into those with metabolic acidosis (standard bicarbonate < 22 mmol/l) either with or without increased UMA (> 3 mEq/l). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Metabolic acidosis occurred in 46% of samples, of which 52.3% (120/230) had increased UMA. The dominant component of TA was UMA rather than lactate, and these two components did not always rise in tandem. Our hypothesis of relative hypochloraemia was supported by a lower Cl:Na ratio (P < 0.0001) but not a lower absolute Cl (P = 0.5) in the acidotic subgroup with raised UMA, and by the inverse relationship between TA and the Cl:Na ratio. (coefficient of determination (r2) = 0.37, P < 0.0001). The best discriminator for the presence of raised TA was the albumin-corrected anion gap (AGcorr), however, this could not track changes in TA with clinical accuracy. The Cl:Na ratio discriminated reasonably well, a ratio of < 0.75 identified TA (positive predictive value (PPV) 88%) with a likelihood ratio (LR) similar to the AG (7.8 vs7.4). Conversely, a high ratio (> 0.79) excluded TA (PPV 81%, LR 4.5). Base deficit (BD) and lactate performed poorly. CONCLUSION: In metabolic acidosis due to TA, plasma Cl concentration decreases relative to sodium. The Cl:Na ratio is a simple alternative to the AG for detecting TA in this setting.
PMID: 11430538, UI: 21323247
Intensive Care Med 2001 May;27(5):812-21
Medical Intensive Care Division, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. jolliet@cmu.unige.ch
OBJECTIVE: To explore three aspects of non-invasive pressure support ventilation (NIPSV) applied by face mask to patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP): (1) the initial acute effects on respiratory rate, gas exchange and hemodynamics, (2) the clinical course and outcome during ICU and hospital stay, (3) the nursing workload as measured by the daily PRN 87 (Project Research in Nursing) score. SETTING: Medical ICU, University Hospital. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. PATIENTS: Patients without any prior history of chronic lung disease, consecutively admitted to the ICU to receive NIPSV for ARF due to severe CAP. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: (means +/- SD): Twenty-four patients aged 49+/-17 years, admission APACHE II 13+/-5, were included. Admission PaO2/FIO2, alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (DA-aO2) and PaCO2 were 104+/-48, 447+/-120 and 40+/-10 mmHg, respectively. All patients were normotensive. During the initial NIPSV trial respiratory rate decreased from 34+/-8 to 28+/-10 breaths/min (p < 0.001) and arterial oxygenation improved (PaO2/FIO2 104+/-48 vs 153+/-49, DA-aO2 447+/-120 vs 370+/-180 mmHg, p < 0.001) while PaCO2 remained unchanged. There were no hemodynamic effects. Subsequently, a total of 133 NIPSV trials were performed (median duration 55 min, range 30-540 min) over 1-7 days. No complication occurred during NIPSV. Sixteen patients were intubated (66%) 1.3+/-1 days after inclusion. Upon inclusion, the patients who were subsequently intubated were older (55+/-15 vs 37+/-12 years) and more severely hypoxemic (63+/-11 vs 80+/-15 mmHg, p < 0.05) than those not requiring intubation. Eight patients died (33 %), all in the intubated group. Median lengths of stay in the ICU and hospital were longer in intubated patients (ICU 16 days, range 3-64 vs 6 days, range 3-7, p < 0.05; hospital 23 days, range 9-77 vs 9.5 days, range 4-42, p < 0.05). Mean daily total PRN points were stable throughout the NIPSV period and were not different between the groups. Only 14% of PRN points resulted from respiratory therapy interventions. PRN score was higher during the first 24 h following intubation than during the first 24 h of NIPSV (278+/-55 vs 228+/-24 points, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite initial improvement in arterial oxygenation with NIPSV in patients with ARF due to severe CAP, the intubation rate is high. However, the more favorable outcome and shorter ICU and hospital stays when intubation is avoided, as well as the short delay required to assess the success or failure of NIPSV warrants a trial of NIPSV in this setting. The nursing workload remains stable during NIPSV and does not result predominantly from respiratory therapy interventions.
PMID: 11430536, UI: 21323245
Intensive Care Med 2001 May;27(5):797-9
PMID: 11430533, UI: 21323242
Intensive Care Med 2001 Feb;27(2):449
PMID: 11396298, UI: 21290330
Intensive Care Med 2001 Feb;27(2):434-7
Interne Geneeskunde, Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. bart.rijnders@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
OBJECTIVES: To examine whether urgent orotracheal intubation (OI) can induce bacteremia. To find predictive factors for post-intubation bacteremia. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Seventeen-bed medical intensive care unit in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty-eight adult intensive care patients undergoing urgent OI. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Patients in need of OI could be included if no cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed. A blood culture was taken immediately before, as soon as possible after, and 60 min after intubation. The indication for intubation, ease of intubation, and the antibiotics used before intubation were registered. Six patients (6/68 or 9%) had streptococcal bacteremia immediately (mean 10.8 min) after intubation. No patient (0/62) had streptococcal bacteremia 60 min after intubation (P = 0.01). Four of the six patients showing streptococcal bacteremia after intubation were intubated by a second doctor because of difficulties during intubation, whereas this was the case in only 9/62 in those without streptococcal bacteremia (P = 0.01). Four of the 13 patients (31%) who needed to be intubated by a second doctor showed transient streptococcal bacteremia. Of the 20 patients not receiving antibiotics at the time of intubation, four (20%) had streptococcal bacteremia compared with 2/47 (4.2%) patients receiving antibiotics (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Urgent intubation can cause transient bacteremia with streptococci in a significant proportion of intensive care patients. The observed frequency of bacteremia is higher than previously reported after elective intubation. The difficulty of intubation is probably a predisposing factor.
PMID: 11396290, UI: 21290322
Intensive Care Med 2001 Feb;27(2):426-9
Intensive Care Unit, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Vrinnevisjukhuset, Norrkoping, Sweden. sten.walther@lio.se
OBJECTIVE: To explore the use of a diary as an aid in debriefing patients and relatives following critical illness. DESIGN: Observation study. SETTING: Intensive care unit of a 500-bed hospital. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-one critically ill patients and their relatives. METHOD: A daily account of the patient's progress was written in everyday language by nursing staff, photographs were added as necessary. The booklet was given to the patient or a relative at a follow-up appointment 2 weeks after discharge from the unit. A standard questionnaire was mailed 6 months later, responses were analyzed by an independent observer. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: All diaries had been read by survivors (n = 41) or relatives (n = 10), 51% of the diaries had been read more than 10 times. Comments in the questionnaires were graded as very positive (39%), positive (28%) and neutral (33%). CONCLUSIONS: A detailed narrative of the patient's stay is a useful tool in the debriefing process following intensive care.
PMID: 11396288, UI: 21290320
Intensive Care Med 2001 Feb;27(2):407-15
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital Charite, Campus Mitte, Humboldt University of Berlin, Schumannstrasse 20/21, 10098 Berlin, Germany. hartmut.kern@charite.de
OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk for prolonged mechanical ventilation in cardiac surgical patients. DESIGN: Prospective study with retrospective combination of a second database. PATIENTS: Six hundred and eighty-seven patients after cardiac surgery over a period of 12 months. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic data were recorded preoperatively, and surgical procedures intraoperatively using a surgical database designed for quality control. Length of ICU and hospital stay, and hospital outcome were recorded. Severity of illness was assessed daily using APACHE II, SAPS II, and Organ Failure Score. Intensity of treatment and nursing care was monitored by means of the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. The predictive value of the identified variables was tested by the Wilcoxon test using the receiver operating characteristic curve. MAIN RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (9.0%) were ventilated for > 48 h and accounted for 42.8% of the total costs in the ICU. The pre- and intraoperatively collected data produced a model with weak predictive capacity for prolonged ventilation [area under curve (AUC) 73.22 and 71.08, respectively]. The use of TISS and SAPS postoperatively resulted in an effective model of prediction (AUC 93.76). Adding the occurrence of reoperation, reintubation, emergency transfusion, intraaortic balloon pumping, and need for total parenteral nutrition to the model further improved its predictive capacity (AUC 94.74). CONCLUSIONS: The present results strongly suggest that data collected postoperatively using established scoring systems as well as documented events of high clinical impact for risk assessment and quality control are reliable predictors of prolonged ventilation.
PMID: 11396286, UI: 21290318
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