The Value of Procalcitonin and the SAPS II and APACHE III Scores in the Differentiation of Infectious and Non-infectious Fever in the ICU: A Prospective, Cohort Study

Early and accurate differentiation between infectious and non-infectious fever is vitally important in the intensive care unit (ICU). In the present study, patients admitted to the medical ICU were screened daily from August 2008 to February 2009. Within 24 hr after the development of fever (>38.3degrees C), serum was collected for the measurement of the procalcitonin (PCT) and high mobility group B 1 levels. Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II and Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III scores were also analyzed. Sixty-three patients developed fever among 448 consecutive patients (14.1%). Fever was caused by either infectious (84.1%) or non-infectious processes (15.9%). Patients with fever due to infectious causes showed higher values of serum PCT (7.8+/-10.2 vs 0.5+/-0.2 ng/mL, P=0.026), SAPS II (12.0+/-3.8 vs 7.6+/-2.7, P=0.006), and APACHE III (48+/-20 vs 28.7+/-13.3, P=0.039) than those with non-infectious fever. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve was 0.726 (95% CI; 0.587-0.865) for PCT, 0.759 (95% CI; 0.597-0.922) for SAPS II, and 0.715 (95% CI; 0.550-0.880) for APACHE III. Serum PCT, SAPS II, and APACHE III are useful in the differentiation between infectious and non-infectious fever in the ICU.

The APACHE III Score and Multiple Organ Failure(MOF) Score in Patients who were Recipients of Decision-Making Do-Not- Resuscitate / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of patients who were recipients of decision-making DNR, to describe the situations of DNR, and to analyze the APACHE III and MOF scores. METHOD: Data collection was conducted through reviews of medical records of 51 patients and through interviews with families of patients who were decision-makers for DNR at C university K Hospital located in Seoul from April to September 2002. RESULTS: The men's APACHE III and MOF scores were higher than the women's and the non cancer patients were higher than cancer patients. Some 80.4% of DNR orders was by communication, while 11.8% of consents were written. Each of APACHE III and MOF scores of patients in the intensive care unit was higher than the patients in general ward at both points of admission and decision-making of DNR. APACHE III and MOF scores positively correlated statistically with each other. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that APACHE III and MOF scores be useful for decision-making of DNR as a tool measuring severity.

Discharge Decision-Making by Intensivists on Readmission to the Intensive Care Unit

Patients readmitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) have a significantly higher mortality rate. The role of intensivists in judging when to discharge patients from the ICU is very important. We undertook this study to evaluate the effect of the intensivists' discharge decision-making on readmission to ICU. The intensivists actively participated in the discharge decision-making, with the discharge guideline taken into consideration, in respect of group 1 patients, but not in respect of group 2. The readmission rate in group 1 was lower than that in group 2. The readmission in patients in each group was associated with higher mortality rates and longer lengths of stay at the ICU. Respiratory failure was the major cause of readmission. In the non-survivors out of the readmitted patients, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III scores on the initial discharge and readmission, the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) scores on the initial admission, discharge and readmission were higher than the corresponding indices in the survivors. We conclude that the readmission rate was lower when intensivists participated in the discharge decision-making, and that APACHE III and MODS scores on the first discharge and readmission were significant prognostic factors in respect of the readmitted patients.

Usefulness of APACHE III Score on Admission in Relation to the Length of Stay in the ICU / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness of admission and daily acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) III score in relation to length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for outcome prediction, 4,554 patients were studied. METHODS: These patients were admitted to the ICU from June 6, 1994 to December 31, 2002. Exclusion criteria included patients being treated for burns, having surgery for coronary artery bypass grafts, having a diagnosis of myocardial infarction, being under 16 years of age and being discharged less than 16 hours after admission. To evaluate the discrimination power of admission and daily APACHE III score, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was computed for each of the initial 16 days of ICU care. RESULTS: Admission APACHE III score loses discrimination power over time, from admission day to day 4 in the ICU, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was above 0.8 and after day 16, it dropped to below 0.7. However, daily APACHE III score maintained discrimination power at about 0.8 over time. CONCLUSIONS: In the early days after ICU admission, admission and daily APACHE III score are useful. With time daily APACHE III scores are more useful than admission APACHE III score.

The SOFA Score to Evaluate Organ Failure and Prognosis in the Intensive Care Unit Patients / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score can help to assess organ failure over time and is useful to evaluate morbidity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of SOFA score as a descriptor of multiple organ failure in critically ill patients in a local unit hospital, and to compare with APACHE III scoring system. METHODS: This study was carried out prospectively. A total of ninety one patients were included who admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) in Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital from May 1 through June 30, 2000. We excluded patients with a length of stay in the ICU less than 2 days following scheduled procedure, admissions for ECG monitoring, other department and patients transferred to other hospital. The SOFA score and APACHE III score were calculated on admission and then consecutively every 24 hours until ICU discharge. RESULTS: The ICU mortality rate was 20%. The non-survivors had a higher SOFA score within 24 hours after admission. The number of organ failure was associated with increased mortality. The evaluation of a subgroup of 74 patients who stayed in the ICU for at least 48 hours showed that survivors and non-survivors followed a different course. In this subgroup, the total SOFA score increased in 81% of the non-survivors but in only 21% of the survivors. Conversely, the total SOFA score decreased in 48% of the survivors compared with 6% of the non-survivors. The non-survivors also had a higher APACHE III score within 24 hours and there was a correlation between SOFA score and APACHE III score. CONCLUSION: The SOFA score is a simple, but effective method to assess organ failure and to predict mortality in critically ill patients. Regular and repeated scoring enables patient's condition and clinical course to be monitored and better understood. The SOFA score well correlates with APACHE III score.

The Effect of Discharge Decision-Making of the Intensivist on Readmission to the Intensive Care Unit / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Patients readmitted to intensive care unit (ICU) have significantly higher mortality. The role of intensivists to judge when to discharge from ICU may be important. We performed this study to assess the effect of intensivist's discharge decision-making on readmission to ICU. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively from patients admitted to ICUs (group 1). Another data were collected retrospectively from the patients' record (group 2). Discharge of the patients in group 1 were based on intensivist's discharge decision-making but not in group 2. We encouraged deep breathing and expectoration to patients of group 1 at risk of pulmonary complication during ICU stay and used a guideline for making discharge decisions. Readmission cause, length of ICU stay, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) score of readmitted patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Readmission rate of group 1 was lower than that of group 2 (p<0.05). The mortality of readmitted patients in each group was higher than that of non-readmitted patients (p<0.05). Respiratory disease was the major cause of readmission. In non-survivors of readmitted patients, APACHE III score on initial discharge and readmission, MODS score on initial admission, discharge and readmission were higher than those of survivors (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Readmission rate was lower when intensivists participated in discharge decision- making. ICU readmission was associated with higher hospital mortality and longer ICU stay. MODS and APACHE III score at first discharge and readmission were significant prognostic factors of the outcome in readmitted patients.

Clinical Features and Risk Factors of Patients Readmitted to ICU / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Premature discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) results in ICU readmission and poor outcome. Understanding the clinical features of the readmitted patients may be helpful for intensivists to improve ICU care. We performed this study to determine the causes, outcomes, and risk factors of patients readmitted to the ICU. METHODS: Data was collected from the patients admitted to medical and surgical ICUs of Severance Hospital between January, 1999 and July, 2001 retrospectively. Readmission cause, source, indication, length of ICU stay, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score, and multiple-organ failure (MOF) score of readmitted patients were evaluated. Non-survivors and survivors after ICU readmission were compared. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-seven readmitted and 2,412 non-readmitted patients were examined and the readmission rate was 6.3%. Respiratory disease was the major cause of readmission. Readmitted patients had longer initial ICU lengths of stay than non-readmitted patients (13.6 vs 9.4 days, p<0.05). The ICU mortality rate was not significantly higher in the readmitted patients compared with the non-readmitted patients. The MOF score on readmission (5.4 vs 3.1) and APACHE III score on initial discharge (40.7 vs 30.4) and readmission (76.3 vs 44.4), in non-survivors were higher than survivors of the readmitted patients, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ICU readmission was associated with longer ICU stay and respiratory disease was the major cause of readmission. The MOF score at readmission and APACHE III score at discharge and readmission were significant risk factors of the outcome in readmitted patients.

A Study About the Factors Concerned with Death of ICU patients by the APACHE III tool / 성인간호학회지

Using the APCHE III tool, this study was about the factors related to the death of ICU-patients. From 1999. 12. 1 to 2000. 9. 30, the 284 patients admitted to ICU at P university who were over 15 years of age were selected for the subjets. The data was analyzed through SPSS WIN program for frequency, percentile, x2-test, t-test and logistic regression. The results are summarized as follows: 1) Of the 284 patients, 88died. The mortality is 31.0 percent. The average APACHE III point was 48.62 +/- 32.32. The average point of non-survivors was higher than that of survivors. 2) There are the significant difference between APACHE III marks and mortality. The mortality rate were over 50 percent 60 points of the mark. When the marks were over 100 points, the mortality were over 90 percent. Below 40 points, the mortality was below 10 percent. Among the variables in the APACHE III, the most significant variables in explaining death were neurologic abnormalities, pulse, PaO2/ AaDO2, creatinine, sodium, glucose, chronic health state and age. According to the variables, the models explained the 42.43 percent of the variance in patient's death. In conclusion, the APACHE III tool can be used to predict the progress of ICU patients, and can also be used for the selection of patients for ICU admission/discharge criteria.

Prognostic Implication of Serial Blood Lactate Concentrations in SIRS Patient / 대한구급학회지

Introduction: Lactic acid in circulating blood should provide an index between balance of oxygen consumption and metabolic rate in sepsis or any state of shock. The purpose of the study was to determine the prognostic power of the lactate, the time factor of the blood lactate levels between survivors and non-survivors and the correlation between APACHE III score and blood lactate level in SIRS patients. METHOD: The study was performed on 99 patients over 16 years old who were admitted to the SICU with the criteria of SIRS. The blood lactate concentrations were assayed with arterial blood drawn in intervals ranging from 4 to 24 hours and the APACHE III scoring was done in the first 24 hours of SICU admission and daily until discharge or death for 2 weeks. The highest lactate level of the day was recorded. They were divided into two groups, survivors (n=61) and non-survivors (n=38), according to the outcome. RESULT: There were significant difference of the first day (D1) as well as peak lactate level between the survivors and the non-survivors (3.02 3.05 vs 7.41 4.78, 3.24 2.70 vs 7.82 4.88 mmol/L). Significant difference of the lactate as well as APACHE III were identified between the survivors and the non-survivors during a 14-days of observation period. Significant correlations were shown between lactate and APACHE III while the study was being conducted. The peak lactate presented superior to the D1 lactate in mortality prediction. CONCLUSION: Blood lactate concentration could be used as a prognostic index as well as APACHE III score. Serial blood lactate concentration assays are necessary to predict the outcome.

Clinical Significance of serum Endothelin-1 and Interleukin-8 in Sepsis / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterized by a systemic inflammatory and hemodynamic response to severe bacterial infections that involve various mediators. Endothelin (ET)-1, a potent vasocon strictor is associated with multiple organ failure, and interleukin (IL)-8, a proinflammtory cytokine, plays a major role in neurophil activation. Both have been reported to be useful parameters in the clinical assessment of sepsis. The levels of ET-1 and IL-8 in the blood were measured in patients with sepsis, and the correlation of both parameters and their relationship with the clinical data was assessed. METHODS: 19 sepsis patients and 17 controls were studied. Blood samples of the sepsis patients were drawn in day 1, 3, 7, and 14. the APACHE III scores were calculated in concurrent days. The ET-1 and IL-8 levels were measured using immunoassay methods. RESULTS: The ET-1 levels of patients with sepsis were significantly higher than in the controls. In patients with sepsis, non-survivors had higher ET-1 levels than survivors on day 1 and 7, and patients with shock also had higher ET-1 levels than normotensive patients on admission. The ET-1 levels were significantly correlated wit the creatinine levels in day 1, 7, and 14. The IL-8 levels showed a significant correlation with the ET-1 levels on day 14. CONCLUSION: ET-1 was found to be closely related with the clinical outcome, shock, and renal failure, and showed a correlation with IL-8. these mediators can be considered not only to play pathophysiologic roles but also as useful parameters in the clinical assessment of sepsis.

Patient Severity Classification in a Medical ICU using APACHE III and Patient Severity Classification Tool / 간호학회지

The purpose of this study was to verify the validity of the Patient Severity Classification Tool by examining the correlations between the APACHE III and the Patient Severity Classification Tool and to propose admission criteria to the ICU. The instruments used for this study were the APACHE III developed by Knaus and thePatient Severity Classification Tool developed by Korean Clinical Nurses Association. Data was collected from the 156 Medical ICU patients during their first 24 hours of admission at the Seoul National University Hospital by three trained Medical ICU nurses from April 20 to August 31 1999. Data were analyzed using the frequency, X2, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Spearman rho. There was statistically significant correlations between the scores of the APACHE III and the Patient Severity Classification Tool. Mortality rate was increased as patients classification of severity in both the APACHE III and the Patient Severity Classification Tool scored higher. The Patient Severity Classification Tool was proved to be a valid and reliable tool, and a useful tool as one of the severity predicting factors, ICU admission criteria, information sharing between ICUs, quality evaluations of ICUs, and ICU nurse staffing. 1) This paper was awarded the first prize at the Seoul National Hospital Nursing Department Research Contest.

Predictive Factors of Acute Renal Failure in Sepsis: APACHE III Prognostic System and Liano System / 대한신장학회잡지

Uncontrolled infection quite often 1eads to systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome. Despite advances in medical knowledge and technology, the mortality of patient with sepsis is still 35-60%, and even reach up to 50-90% in septic patients having acute renal failure. The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics and predictive factors of progression to acute renal failure(ARF) in sepsis. We analyzed the bacteriologic and laboratory data of 54 admitted patients with SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) at Pusan National University Hospital from July 1997 to July 1999 (ARF 23 vs non-ARF 31). Multiple factor which may influence mortality and progression to AEK in sepsis, were evaluated and measured on admission day. The following of results, 1) Of the 54 patients, 23 were ARF group and 31 were non-ARF group. Mean age were, 52 years and 51 years. The mortality of ARF group and non-ARF group were 78% and 23%, Urine output, albumin, cholesterol, mean arterial blood pressure and evidence of underlying disease were not statistically different in each group. 2) Although the sources of sepsis could not identified in 9% (ARF), 23% (non-ARF), the others had the primary site of infections: gastrointestinal tract (35% vs 29%), lung (30% vs 19%), genitourinary tract(9% vs 13%), skin (17% vs 16%). 3) Although statistically not different, gram-positive bacterial infection was more common in ARF group (mainly staphylococcus aureus). Culture negative results were 4 patients (ARF), 1 patient (non-ARF). 4) APACHE III score in ARF group was higher than non-ARF group (48.1+/-16.5 vs 30.2+/-15.6). Liafio score in ARF group was higher than non-ARF group (39.1+/-13.0 vs 28.9+/-8.3). 5) APACHE III score and Liailo score in non-survivors were higher than survivors(APACHE III score: 48.6+/-15.3 vs 28.1+/-14.0, Liaho score:37.9+/-12.0 vs 29.4+/-9.2) 6) APACHE lII system was positively correlated with Liaho system (r=0.512, p=0.001). In conclusion, APACHE III system and Liaho system were significant predictors of progression to ARF and mortality in sepsis. In the future, prospective and multicenter studies are required to improve the method of treatment and the prognosis in sepsis.

Clinical Utility of APACHE III Scoring System as a Method for Predicting the Patient with Cardiovascular Disease admitted in Coronary Care Unit (CCU)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Risk assessment methods specially designed for coronary care unit (CCU) are lacking. The aims of this study were first to assess the utility of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III (APACHE III) scoring system for the prediction of mortality in CCU patients and second to derive an equation for estimation of death risk. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 310 patients were retrospectively investigated. The day 1-scores of APACHE III were determinated. An equation for estimation of death risk was derived, using multivariate logistic regression analysis. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for APACHE III score was plotted. RESULTS: The average APACHE III scores of non-survivors were significantly higher than those of survivors (P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the APACHE III scores and the diagnoses on admission were two significant predictors of mortality. we formulated an equation which could predict outcomes : Probability of death =eX / 1+X, where X = -8.64 +diagnostic category weight +(0.10xAPACHE III scores). The ROC curve for APACHE III confirmed it as a predictor of mortality, with an area under the curve of 0.933 (standard error(SE)=.016). The sensitivity (95% confidence limit(CL)), specificity (95%CL) for APACHE III scores were, respectively, 0.84 (0.72-0.92), 0.88 (0.83-0.92). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the APACHE III scoring system is a useful tool for the overall assessment and management of cardiovascular disease patients in CCUs.

Clinical Utility of APACHE III Scoring System as a Method for Predicting the Patient with Cardiovascular Disease admitted in Coronary Care Unit (CCU)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Risk assessment methods specially designed for coronary care unit (CCU) are lacking. The aims of this study were first to assess the utility of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III (APACHE III) scoring system for the prediction of mortality in CCU patients and second to derive an equation for estimation of death risk. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 310 patients were retrospectively investigated. The day 1-scores of APACHE III were determinated. An equation for estimation of death risk was derived, using multivariate logistic regression analysis. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for APACHE III score was plotted. RESULTS: The average APACHE III scores of non-survivors were significantly higher than those of survivors (P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the APACHE III scores and the diagnoses on admission were two significant predictors of mortality. we formulated an equation which could predict outcomes : Probability of death =eX / 1+X, where X = -8.64 +diagnostic category weight +(0.10xAPACHE III scores). The ROC curve for APACHE III confirmed it as a predictor of mortality, with an area under the curve of 0.933 (standard error(SE)=.016). The sensitivity (95% confidence limit(CL)), specificity (95%CL) for APACHE III scores were, respectively, 0.84 (0.72-0.92), 0.88 (0.83-0.92). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the APACHE III scoring system is a useful tool for the overall assessment and management of cardiovascular disease patients in CCUs.

Comparison of Predictive Indices of Severity Scorings, Metabolism, and Thyroid Hormones in Systemic Inflammatory Reaction Syndrome / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome (SIRS) describes the systemic inflammatory process and can be seen following a wide variety of insults. This is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for patients admitted to the ICU. The arterial keton body ratio (AKBR), serum lactate level and the thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (FT4) and triiodothyronine (T3) deteriorate in critically ill patients with a poor prognosis. The APACHE (Acute Physiology, and Chronic Health Evaluation) III and multiple organ failure (MOF) score have been known as good prognostic predictors in the ICU. The object of this study was to compare the AKBR, lactate and thyroid hormone levels, and the APACHE III and MOF score between the survivors (SV) and nonsurvivors (NSV) and the correlation among the above predictors. METHODS: 35 patients with no known thyroid or liver disease who were admitted to the SICU with the criteria of SIRS were selected. Arterial blood was drawn for the AKBR, and the lactate and thyroid hormones studies. The APACHE III and MOF scorings were done in the first 24 hours of SICU admission. RESULTS: There were no significant difference between SV and NSV except APACHE III (SV: 68.7 24.6, NSV; 92.9 27.6). There were significant correlations between the APACHE III and MOF score (R = 0.688, P<0.01), APACHE III and lactate (R = 0.575, P<0.01), and MOF score and lactate (R =0.483, P<0.01). Thyroid hormones had positive correlations among themselves only. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that APACHE III is the only good predictor of mortality. The APACHE III, MOF score, and lactate level show good correlations indicating the severity in condition of the ICU patients.

Relationships between APACHE II and APACHE III Scores and Mortality Rate in Intensive Care Unit Patients / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The APACHE II score system that evaluates prognosis has been widely applied for ICU patients. As the advent of APACHE III approaches, a comparison of effectiveness between APACHE II and APACHE III is demanded. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationships between APACHE II score and mortality rates, and between APACHE III scores and mortality rates in intensive care unit patients. METHODS: 289 adult ICU patients participated in this study. Their mortality rates and scores on APACHE II and APACHE III were calculated. The scores of the APACHE II and APACHE III systems were also compared between survivor and non-survivor groups. RESULTS: APACHE II scores at admission and discharge were 9+/-5, 6+/-4 in the survivor group and 20+/-9, 28+/-11 in the non-survivor group. APACHE III scores at admission and discharge were 29+/-19, 20+/-14 in the survivor group 75+/-37, 111+/-41 in the non-survivor group. The odds ratio between the mortality rate and the APACHE II score was EXP (0.2167) and the odds ratio between mortality rate and APACHE III score was EXP (0.0621). The determinant coefficient (R2) was 0.73 between the APACHE II and APACHE III scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that both the APACHE II and APACHE III score systems are effective in predicting mortality rates in intensive care unit patients.

The Predictable Factors for the Mortality of Fatal Asthma with Acute Respiratory Failure / 결핵

BACKGROUNDS: Previous reports have revealed a high morbidity and mortality in fatal asthma patients, especially those treated in the medical intensive care unit(MICU). But it has not been well known about the predictable factors for the mortality of fatal asthma(FA) with acute respiratory failure. In order to define the predictable factors for the mortality of FA at the admission to MICU, we analyzed the relationship between the clinical parameters and the prognosis of FA patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all medical records of 59 patients who had admitted for FA to MICU at a tertiary care MICU from January 1992 to March 1997 was performed. RESULTS: Over all mortality rate was 32.2% and 43 patients were mechanically ventilated. In uni-variate analysis, the death group had significantly older age (66.2 +/- 10.5 vs. 51.0 +/- 18.8 year), lower FVC(59.2 +/- 21.1 vs. 77.6 +/- 23.3%) and lower FEV1(41.4 +/- 18.8 vs. 61.1 +/- 23.30%), and longer total ventilation time (255.0 +/- 236.3 vs. 98.1 +/- 120.4 hour)(por=40) and PaO2/FiO2 ratio (<200) on the second day of MICU, which might reflect the response of treatment, rather than initially presented clinical parameters would be more important predictable factors of mortality in patients with FA.

Outcomes in Relation to Time of Tracheostomy in Patients with Mechanical Ventilation / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Despite widespread use of tracheostomy in intensive care unit, it is still controversial to define the best timing from endotracheal intubation to tracheostomy under prolonged mechanical ventilation. Early tracheostomy has an advantage of easy airway maintenance and enhanced patient mobility whereas a disadvantage in view of nosocomial infection and tracheal stenosis. However, there is a controversy about the proper timing of tracheostomy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of the 35 medical and 15 surgical ICU patients who had admitted to Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital from January 1996 to August 1998 with the observation of APACHE III score, occurrence of nosocomial infections, and clinical outcomes during 28 days from tracheostomy in terms of early (n=25) vs. late (n=25) tracheostomy. We defined the reference day of early and late tracheostomy as 7th day from intubation. RESULTS: 1. The number of patients were 25 each in early and late tracheostomy group. The mean age were 48 +/- 18 years in early tracheostomy group and 63 +/- 17 years in late tracheostomy group, showing younger in early tracheostomy group. The median duration of intubation prior to tracheostomy was 3 days and 13 days in early and late tracheostomy groups. Organs that caused primary problem were nervous system in 27 cases(54%), pulmonary 14(28%), cardiovascular 4(8%), gastrointestinal 4(8%) and genitourinary 1(2%) in the decreasing order. Prolonged ventilation was the most common reason for purpose of tracheostomy in both groups. 2. APACHE III scores at each time of intubation and tracheostomy were slightly higher in late tracheostomy group but not significant statistically. Day to day APACHE III scores were not different between two groups with observation upto 7th day after tracheostomy. 3. Occurrence of nosocomial infections, weaning from mechanical ventilation, and mortality showed no significant difference between two groups with observation of 28days from tracheostomy. 4. The mortality was increased as the APACHE III score up to 7 days after tracheostomy increased, but there were no increment for the mortality in terms of the time of tracheostomy and the days of ventilator use before tracheostomy. CONCLUSION: The early tracheostomy seems to have no benefit with respect to severity of illness, nosocomial infection, duration of ventilatory support, and mortality. It suggests that the time of tracheostomy is better to be decided on clinical judgement in each case. And in near future, prospective, randomized case-control study is required to confirm these results.

Predcitors of the Development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in the Patients with Acute Pancreatitis / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Though acute respiratory distress(ARDS) often occurs in the early stage of severe acute pancreatitis and significantly contributed to the mortality of the condition, the characteristics of the group who develops ARDS in the patients with acute pancreatitis have not been fully found. The objective of this investigation was to identify predictable factors which distinguish a group who would develop ARDS in the patients with acute pancreatitis METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 94 cases in 86 patients who were admitted the Medical Intensive Care Unit with acute pancreatitis was done ARDS were developed in 3 cases among them (13.8%). The possible clinical factors related to the development were analyzed using univariate analysis and X(2)-test. RESULTS: The risk of ARDS development was increased in the patients with abonormal findings of chest X-ray at admission compared to the patients with normal chest X-ray (P<0.05). The risk was also increased according to the sevecrity index score in abdominal computed tomography at the time of admission (p<0.05). The higher APACHE III score of the first day of admission, the more risk increment of ARDS development was observed (p<0.01). Patients with more than one points of Murray's lung injury score showed higher risk of ARDS compared to the patients with 0 points of that. The patients with sepsis and the patients with more than three organ dysfunction at admission had 3.5 times and 23.3 times higher risk of the development, of ARDS compared to the patients without sepsis and without organ failure in each (p<0.05, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The risk of ARDS development would k higher in the acute pancreatitis patients with abnormal chest X-ray, higher CT severity index, higher APACHE HI or Murray's lung injury score, accompanying sepsis, and more than three organ failure at admission

The Prognostic Value of the First Day and Daily Updated Scores of the APACHE III System in Sepsis / 결핵

BACKGROUND: The index which could predict the prognosis of critically ill patients is needed to find out high risk patients and to individualize their treatment. The APACHE III scoring system was established in 1991, but there has been only a few studies concerning its prognostic value. We wanted to know whether the APACHE III scores have prognostic value in discriminating survivors from nonsurvivors in sepsis. METHODS: In 48 patients meeting the Bones criteria for sepsis, we retrospectively surveyed the day 1 (Dl), day 2(D2) and day 3(D3) scores of patients who were admitted to intensive care unit. The scores of the sepsis survivors and nonsurvivors were compared in respect to the Dl score, and also in respect to the changes of the updated D2 and D3 scores. RESULTS: 1) Of the 48 sepsis patients, 21(43.5%) survived and 27(56.5%) died. The nonsurvivors were older(62.7+/-12.6 vs 51.1+/-18.1 yrs), presented with lower mean arterial pressure(56.9+/-26.2 vs 67.7 +/-14.2 mmHg) and showed greater number of multisystem organ failure(1.2+/-0.8 vs 0.2+/-0.4) than the survivors(p <0.05, respectively). There were no significant differences in sex and initial body temperature between the two groups. 2) The Dl score was lower in the survivors (n=21) than in the nonsurvivors (44.1 +/-14.6, 78.5+/- 18.6, p=0.0001). The D2 and D3 scores significantly decreased in the survivors (Dl vs D2, 44.1+/- 14.6: 37.9+/-15.0, p=0.035; D2 vs D3, 37.9+/-15.0: 30.1 +/-9.3, p=0.0001) but showed a tendency to increase in the nonsurvivors (Dl vs D2 (n=21), 78.5+/-18.6: 81.3+/-23.0, p=0.1337; D2 vs D3 (n=11), 68.2+/-19.3: 75.3+/-18.8, p=0.0078). 3) The D1 scores of 12 survivors and 6 nonsurvivors were in the same range of 42~67 (mean D1 score, 53.8+/-10.0 in the survivors, 55.3+/-10.3 in the nonsurvivors). The age, sex, initial body temperature, and mean arterial pressure were not different between the two groups. In this group, however, D2 and D3 was significantly decreased in the survivors(Dl vs D2, 53.3+/-10.0: 43.6+/- 16.4, p=0.0278; D2 vs D3, 43.6+/-16.4: 31.2+/-10.3, p=0.0005), but showed a tendency to increase in the nonsurvivors(Dl vs D2 (n=6), 55.3+/-10.3:66.7+/-13.9, p=0.1562; D2 vs D3 (n=4), 64.0+/- 16.4:74.3+/-18.6, p=0.1250). Among the individual items of the first day APACHE III score, only the score of respiratory rate was capable of discriminating the nonsurvivors from the survivors (5.5 +/-2.9 vs 1.9+/-3.7, p=0.046) in this group. CONCLUSION: In sepsis, nonsurvivors had higher first day APACHE III score and their updated scores on the following days failed to decline but showed a tendency to increase. Survivors, on the other hand, had lower first day score and showed decline in the updated APACHE scores. These results suggest that the first day and daily updated APACHE III scores are useful in predicting the outcome and assessing the response to management in patients with sepsis.