Desempenho do óxido nítrico na sepse: uma revisão de escopo / Desempeño del óxido nítrico en la sepsis: una revisión de alcance / Performance of nitric oxide in sepsis: a scoping review

Resumo Objetivo Mapear as evidências disponíveis sobre as ações do óxido nítrico na fisiopatologia da sepse e sua relação com a gravidade de pacientes sépticos. Método Revisão de escopo de acordo com a metodologia do Joanna Briggs Institute. Realizou-se busca por estudos que evidenciaram as ações do óxido nítrico na sepse e se o seu aumento está associado à gravidade de pacientes sépticos. Dois revisores independentes fizeram o mapeamento das informações utilizando um instrumento de extração de dados previamente elaborado. Os dados foram analisados quanto à sua relevância, sendo posteriormente extraídos e sintetizados. Resultados De 1342 estudos, 11 foram incluídos na revisão. O primeiro foi publicado em 2017 e o último, em 2022. A maioria foi desenvolvida nos Estados Unidos, na China e na Alemanha. Os estudos apresentaram informações referentes as ações do óxido nítrico, sintetizando sua biodisponibilidade e os inibidores endógenos relacionados a sua produção, além de abordarem a relação do óxido nítrico com a gravidade da sepse. Conclusão A produção de óxido nítrico fisiológico durante a sepse atua como protetor vascular, principalmente na microcirculação, porém, em altas concentrações, contribui para a disfunção vascular, que subverte a fisiologia da regulação da pressão arterial, causando profunda vasodilatação e hipotensão refratária e aumentando a gravidade de pacientes sépticos.

Resumen Objetivo Mapear las evidencias disponibles sobre las acciones del óxido nítrico en la fisiopatología de la sepsis y su relación con la gravedad de pacientes sépticos. Métodos Revisión de alcance de acuerdo con la metodología del Joanna Briggs Institute. Se realizó una búsqueda de estudios que evidenciaron las acciones del óxido nítrico en la sepsis y si su aumento estaba asociado a la gravedad de pacientes sépticos. Dos revisores independientes hicieron el mapeo de la información utilizando un instrumento de extracción de datos previamente elaborado. Los datos se analizaron respecto a su relevancia, para luego extraerlos y sintetizarlos. Resultados De 1342 estudios, se incluyeron 11 en la revisión. El primero fue publicado en 2017 y el último en 2022. La mayoría se realizó en Estados Unidos, China y Alemania. Los estudios presentaron información referente a las acciones del óxido nítrico, sintetizando su biodisponibilidad y los inhibidores endógenos relacionados con su producción, además de abordar la relación del óxido nítrico con la gravedad de la sepsis. Conclusión La producción de óxido nítrico fisiológico durante la sepsis actúa como protector vascular, principalmente en la microcirculación. Sin embargo, en altas concentraciones, contribuye a la disfunción vascular, que subvierte la fisiología de la regulación de la presión arterial, causa una profunda vasodilatación e hipotensión refractaria y aumenta la gravedad de pacientes sépticos. Registro da revisão de escopo no Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MXDK2

Abstract Objective Map the available evidence on the actions of nitric oxide in the pathophysiology of sepsis and its relationship with the severity of sepsis in patients. Method Scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. A search was carried out for studies that highlighted the actions of nitric oxide in sepsis, informing whether its increase is associated with the severity of sepsis in patients. Two independent reviewers mapped the information using a previously designed data extraction instrument. The data was analyzed for its relevance and then extracted and synthesized. Results Eleven of 1342 studies were included in the review. The first of them was published in 2017 and the last in 2022. Most of them were developed in the USA, China, and Germany. Studies have reported the actions and bioavailability of nitric oxide and endogenous inhibitors related to its production, and related nitric oxide to the severity of sepsis. Conclusion The physiological production of nitric oxide during sepsis acts as a vascular protector, mainly in the microcirculation but contributes to vascular dysfunction in high concentrations, subverting the regulation of blood pressure, causing deep vasodilation and refractory hypotension, and increasing the severity of sepsis in patients. Registration of the scoping review in the Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MXDK2

Isquemia mesentérica aguda: un desafío de la medicina. Reporte de un caso

La isquemia intestinal aguda es una emergencia vascular provocada por fenómenos oclusivos y no oclusivos de la circulación mesentérica arterial y venosa, de difícil diagnóstico y pronóstico ominoso. Su incidencia va en aumento paulatino con el decurso de los años, asociada fundamentalmente al envejecimiento de la población. La tasa de mortalidad es elevada a pesar de los avances en el campo de la imagenología. Suele diagnosticarse de forma tardía, cuando está establecido el daño isquémico intestinal de carácter irreversible. El elemento imprescindible e indispensable lo constituye el tiempo que trascurre hasta la cirugía, por lo que su diagnóstico sigue siendo un reto clínico. El tratamiento exige medidas médicas intensivas, al igual que cirugía de revascularización y resección del intestino necrosado. Por desdicha, el examen físico y los hallazgos de laboratorio no son sensibles ni específicos para su diagnóstico. Teniendo en cuenta estos elementos, se presenta el caso de una paciente de 38 años con clínica difusa de vómitos, diarrea y dolor abdominal progresivo, que requirió intervención quirúrgica de urgencia con diagnóstico transoperatorio de isquemia mesentérica aguda. Durante su estancia hospitalaria se relaparotomizó en dos ocasiones, mantuvo soporte ventilatorio e inotrópico por fallo multiorgánico en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, mostrando una adecuada evolución posquirúrgica. El objetivo de esta presentación es enfatizar en la clínica como elemento fundamental para abordar de forma correcta esta entidad en un medio hospitalario de limitados recursos diagnósticos imagenológicos, al abordar conceptos teóricos recientes y facilitar una adecuada actuación en la toma de decisiones.

Acute intestinal ischemia is a vascular emergency caused by occlusive and non-occlusive phenomena of the mesenteric arterial and venous circulation of difficult diagnosis and ominous prognosis. Its incidence is gradually increasing over the years, mainly associated with the ageing of the population. The mortality rate is high despite advances in the field of imaging. It is usually diagnosed late, when irreversible ischemic intestinal damage is established. The essential and indispensable element is the time that elapses until surgery, so its diagnosis continues to be a clinical challenge. Treatment requires intensive medical measures, as well as revascularization surgery and resection of the necrotic intestine. Unfortunately, physical examination and laboratory findings are neither sensitive nor specific for its diagnosis. Taking these elements into account, the authors present the case of a 38-year-old female patient with diffuse symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and progressive abdominal pain that required emergency surgery with intraoperative diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia. During her hospital stay, she underwent re-laparotomy twice, maintained ventilatory and inotropic support due to multi-organ failure in the Intensive Care Unit, showing an adequate post-surgical evolution. The objective of this presentation is to emphasize in the clinic as a fundamental element to correctly address this entity in a hospital environment with limited imaging diagnostic resources by addressing recent theoretical concepts and facilitating adequate action in decision-making.

Case report of scrub typhus complicated by hypokalemia and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, has a wide range of clinical manifestations, including meningoencephalitis, acute renal failure, pneumonitis, myocarditis, and septic shock. However, there are no documented cases of scrub typhus with hypokalemia. In this report, we present a case of scrub typhus with hypokalemia and multiple organ failure syndrome, highlighting the importance of electrolyte imbalance in patients with scrub typhus. CASE REPORT: A 59-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain that had been present for 1 day. On admission, the physical examination and laboratory test results indicated that the patient had renal, liver, and circulatory failure, and hypokalemia. She developed meningitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation during hospitalization. She recovered with appropriate management, and was discharged on day 17. CONCLUSION: This report highlights the potential for atypical presentations of scrub typhus, including a previously undocumented association with hypokalemia. Although the contribution of hypokalemia to the patient's clinical course remains uncertain, this case underscores the importance of considering electrolyte imbalance in the management of patients with scrub typhus. Further research is warranted to better understand the relationship between scrub typhus and electrolyte imbalance.

Síndrome de disfunción orgánica múltiple progresiva en embarazo adolescente: reporte de caso clínico / Progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in adolescent pregnancy: Case report

Introducción El embarazo adolescente es un proceso fisiológico, pero puede evolucionar con parto prematuro, patologías obstétricas o médicas graves, mortalidad o secuelas para madre e hijo/a. Nuestro objetivo es reportar el síndrome de disfunción orgánica múltiple progresiva secundario a pielonefritis y sepsis ocurrido durante el preparto, parto y puerperio de embarazo adolescente y sus secuelas. Caso clínico Adolescente de 14 años, con embarazo de 27 semanas de gestación controlado desde las 8 hasta 25 semanas. Ingresó de urgencia en unidad de alto riesgo obstétrico por signos de parto prematuro, pielonefritis e injuria renal aguda. Se inició tratamiento con cefazolina intravenosa y betametasona para maduración pulmonar, nifedipino oral y sulfato de magnesio para prevención del parto prematuro y protección neuronal fetal, evolucionando con hipotensión sostenida y shock séptico. A las 13 horas después del ingreso, fue trasladada a unidad de paciente crítico donde evolucionó con falla orgánica múltiple persistente y progresiva durante 28 días, afectando sucesivamente los sistemas cardiovascular, hematológico, respiratorio y gastrointestinal. Se trató con drogas vasoactivas, antibióticos, ventilación mecánica invasiva, ultrafiltración, hemodiálisis, drenaje pleural y colecistectomía. A las 24 horas de ingreso a cuidado intensivo, ocurrió el parto prematuro vaginal. La embarazada desarrolló enfermedad renal crónica etapa KDIGO 5 ( V) y se encuentra en espera de trasplante renal. Por su parte, la recién nacida prematura viva presentó asfixia neonatal severa, displasia broncopulmonar y encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica. Conclusiones El embarazo adolescente complicado es una emergencia sanitaria. El diagnóstico y manejo oportuno de la pielonefritis, shock séptico y disfunción orgánica asociada a la sepsis pueden evitar mortalidad y secuelas permanentes materna y/o neonatal.

Introduction Adolescent pregnancy is a physiological process, but it can evolve with premature delivery, severe obstetric or clinical pathologies, mortality, or sequelae for mother and child. We aim to report the progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome secondary to pyelonephritis and sepsis during prepartum, delivery, and puerperium of adolescent pregnancy and its sequelae. Case report A 14-year-old adolescent with a pregnancy of 27 weeks of gestation controlled from 8 to 25 weeks. She was urgently admitted to the high-risk obstetric unit due to signs of preterm labor, pyelonephritis, and acute renal injury. Treatment was started with intravenous cefazolin and betamethasone for lung maturation, oral nifedipine, and magnesium sulfate to prevent preterm labor and fetal neuronal protection, evolving with sustained hypotension and septic shock. At 13 hours after admission, she was transferred to the intensive care unit, where she evolved with persistent and progressive multiple organ failure for 28 days, progressively affecting the cardiovascular, hematologic, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. She was treated with vasoactive drugs, antibiotics, invasive mechanical ventilation, ultrafiltration, hemodialysis, pleural drainage, and cholecystectomy. Twenty-four hours after admission to intensive care, preterm vaginal delivery occurred. She developed chronic kidney disease stage KDIGO 5 (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes V) and is awaiting renal transplantation. On the other hand, the preterm newborn presented severe neonatal asphyxia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Conclusion Complicated adolescent pregnancy is a health emergency. Avoiding delays in the diagnosis and treatment of pyelonephritis, septic shock and the progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome can prevent mortality and permanent sequelae, both maternal and neonatal.

Septic complications in patients of traumatic brain injury: An impact on clinical and functional outcome

Background: Septic complications in traumatic brain injury causes short- and long-term cerebral dysregulation by disruption of blood brain barrier, reduced brain perfusion, neuroinflammation and deposition of amyloid. Materials and methods: The present study attempted to observe patients of traumatic brain injury for the development of septic complications during the hospital stay. 89 patients were included in the study with different grades of brain injury (Injury Severity Score (ISS) range, 9-72). The patients were managed according to the trauma protocol and classified into 3 groups based on the severity of trauma (ISS 9-17 (moderate), 18-30 (severe), and >32 (most severe)). The patients were observed for the development of major septic complications during the course of their hospital stay, which impacted on the morbidity and mortality while determining the clinical and functional outcome at the end. Results: Mean age of the study population was 33.5 years. TBI was more common in younger age groups with severe grades of injury, those with multiplicity of head injuries, sepsis with a pulmonary focus, prolonged ICU and in-hospital stay together with high mortality. Septic complications were also more common in cases with higher grades of TBI and more prolonged hospital stay. Patients requiring intubation had a higher risk of developing infectious complications. 69 patients (77.5%) required intubation and mechanical ventilation. Pneumonia was the most common source of sepsis leading to the respiratory failure while the most common cause being aspiration at the time of injury Genitourinary complications were also common leading to urosepsis. Most common organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter, klebsiella and Pseudomonas. Conclusion: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) when complicated by sepsis and multi organ failure increases the mortality and morbidity with less favorable clinical and functional outcome together with increased duration of ICU and hospital stay.

Recognition of the clinical classification of acute－on－chronic liver failure： Redefinition from a new perspective of onset manifestations and dynamic outcomes / 临床肝胆病杂志

Acute－on－chronic liver failure （ACLF） refers to acute liver function decompensation on the basis of chronic liver diseases and is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by organ failure and high short－term mortality. ACLF is reversible and has diverse long－term outcomes and prognoses. The clinical classification of ACLF based on disease characteristics is of great significance for optimizing the management pathways for ACLF. With reference to the definition and clinical features of ACLF in the East and the West， this article redefines ACLF from the new perspective of onset manifestations and dynamic outcomes and proposes a new clinical classification of ACLF. The first classification of ACLF is based on the clinical features of intrahepatic and extrahepatic organ failure at disease onset， i.e.， type Ⅰ ACLF （liver failure on the basis of chronic liver diseases） and type Ⅱ ACLF （acute decompensation on the basis of chronic liver diseases comorbid with multiple organ failure）. The second classification is the dynamic clinical classification of ACLF based on clinical outcome， i.e.， type A （rapid progression）， type B （rapid recovery）， type C （slow progression）， type D （slow recovery）， and type E （slow persistence）. The proposed clinical classification of ACLF from the new perspective expects Eastern and Western scholars to have a more inclusive understanding of ACLF， narrow differences， optimize disease management paths， and rationally use medical resources， thereby providing a reference for clinicians.

Early diagnostic value of mNGS for 15 cases with critical rickettsial disease in Hainan / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical utility of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for patients with critically ill atypical rickettsial infections in the early diagnosis and therapy.Methods:From Jan 2020 to Aug 2022, clinical features, blood biochemical results, imaging data and mNGS results in patients with unexplained critical illnesses were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the positive rate of mNGS and weil felix reaction.Results:All 15 patients with rickettsial disease had fever, 12 cases had headache, but only 3 had a typical rash or scab of diagnostic significance, 6 had septic shock and all had multi-organ dysfunction; blood mNGS tests were positive in 15 cases, of which 10 had Orientia tsutsugamushi detected in their blood and the remaining five had Rickettsia moschata detected in their blood. The positive rate of mNGS was significantly higher than that of the weil felix reaction (15/15 vs 0, P<0.001). All patients were given doxycycline and other treatments after diagnosis, of which 14 improved and were discharged, and one died 1 week after discharge due to critical condition and abandonment of treatment. Conclusion:mNGS can improve the detection rate of atypical rickettsiae in patients with negative routine test results, which can provide valuable reference basis for early diagnosis and early anti-infection treatment of patients with critical rickettsial disease.

Research progress in complications and their prevention and treatment strategies during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for severe trauma / 中华创伤杂志

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a technique in which breathing and circulation are supported extracorporeally. Severe trauma may induce cardiopulmonary failure, for which ECMO can play an adjunctive role in the salvage treatment of circulatory and respiratory failure when conventional treatments are ineffective. Bypass with ECMO can rapidly improve the state such as circulatory failure and hypoxemia in critically ill patients in short term and can partially or fully replace their cardiopulmonary function in long term, winning valuable time for normal recovery of cardiopulmonary function. Because of the physical state of severe trauma patients and the ECMO equipment, there are still various complications clinically. Trauma patients show high risk of bleeding, vulnerability to wound infection and probability of combined organ injury and dysfunction, so more comprehensive measures for the prevention and treatment of complications during the use of ECMO therapy are required. The authors review the research progress in complications and corresponding prevention and treatment strategies during ECMO support for severe trauma, aiming to provide a reference to prevent and treat these complications.

Progress in the application of blood purification treatment mode in the treatment of wasp sting patients / 中国医师杂志

Wasp sting is a common emergency in mountainous areas of China, with rapid onset and progression, high mortality rate, and serious harm to public health. Wasp sting can cause mild local reactions in mild cases, and Anaphylaxis or even multiple organ dysfunction in severe cases, of which Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most common and serious. Blood purification treatment is commonly used for wasp sting patients to maintain renal function, eliminate toxins, and maintain Internal environment stability. The commonly used clinical methods are Hemoperfusion (HP), plasma exchange (PE), and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). At present, there is no clear recommendation for the blood purification treatment mode of wasp sting in China, and there is no clear guidance for its combined treatment mode. This article will review the single and combined use of blood purification treatment models for wasp stings, based on the latest clinical research.

Effect and safety of double plasma molecular absorption in treatment of patients with severe wasp stings injury: a multicenter historical cohort study / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To compare the effect and safety of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH)+double plasma molecular absorption (DPMA)+hemoperfusion (HP), CVVH+HP, and CVVH+plasma exchange (PE) in treatment of patient with severe wasp stings injury.Methods:Multicenter, historical cohort study and superiority test were used. From July 2020 to October 2022, patients with wasp sting injury and multiple organ damage admitted to the intensive care units (ICU) of five hospitals were consecutively screened and recruited into the CVVH+DPMA+HP group (intervention group). Propensity score matching was used to establish historical cohorts. Patients with severe wasp sting injury who hospitalized from January 2016 to June 2020 in each ICU were collected and matched 1∶1 with the intervention group, and divided into CVVH+HP group and CVVH+PE group according to their actual hemopurification protocols (historical control groups). The primary outcome was the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score on days 3 and 7 after initiation of treatment. Secondary outcomes included complications, length of ICU and hospital stays, and all-cause mortality. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression was used to analyze the prognosis of patients.Results:After propensity score matching, 56 patients in intervention group and each of the two historical control groups were matched successfully. There were no significant differences in age, gender, comorbidities, biochemical test indices and critical illness scores among the groups. After treatment, APACHE Ⅱ score markedly declined in all groups, and the decrease was faster in the intervention group; treatment with DPMA [hazard ratio ( HR) = 1.04, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.02-1.08, P = 0.00], the decreased levels of body temperature ( HR = 1.02, 95% CI was 1.00-1.03, P = 0.02), serum creatine kinase (CK; HR = 0.98, 95% CI was 0.96-1.00, P = 0.05) and myoglobin (MYO; HR = 2.88, 95% CI was 1.24-6.69, P = 0.01) were independent risk factors for APACHE Ⅱ score decline to the target value (15 scores). There were no significant differences in the incidence of bleeding complications, filter or perfusion thrombosis, blood pressure reduction, catheter-related infection and anaphylaxis among the groups. Conclusion:CVVH+DPMA+HP regimen can significantly reduce the APACHE Ⅱ score of patients with severe wasp sting injury, and the efficacy is superior to CVVH+HP and CVVH+PE regimens, with safety.

Relationship between serum interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 levels and the clinical prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 levels and clinical prognosis in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.Methods:Ninety-two patients with severe acute pancreatitis who received treatment in The Second People's Hospital of Liaocheng from August 2018 to July 2021 were included in this study. Serum interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 levels were detected. The Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) score was evaluated. Clinical interventions were performed. The relationship between serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels and the clinical prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis was investigated.Results:Serum IL-6 level [(103.75 ± 15.53) ng/L] was highest in patients who died. Serum IL-10 level [(97.33 ± 13.06) ng/L] was highest in patients with local complications. The highest number of patients with a prognostic outcome of death [26 (37.14%)] was found in patients with a BISAP score ≥ 3. Serum IL-6 level in patients with severe acute pancreatitis was positively correlated with the BISAP score ( r = 0.62, P < 0.05), and serum IL-6 level and BISAP score were negatively correlated with serum IL-10 level ( r = -0.57, -0.61, both P < 0.05). Conclusion:Increased or decreased serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels in patients with severe acute pancreatitis indicate that the patient's condition tends to worsen, and timely intervention according to serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels can improve the clinical prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis.

Analysis of therapeutic plasma exchange combined with continuous venovenous hemofiltration in the treatment of children with severe sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic potential of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) combined with continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) in the treatment of children with severe sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).Methods:It was a prospective randomized controlled study (RCT) involving 70 children with severe sepsis and MODS admitted to Anyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital from February 2019 to February 2023.According to random number table method, they were randomly divided into combination group (35 cases) and CVVH group (35 cases). Patients in the CVVH group were treated with CVVH alone, and those in the combination group were treated with TPE combined with CVVH.The antibiotic use time of the two groups was recorded and compared by the t test.The prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), partial prothrombin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and soluble receptor (sFLT) levels before treatment and 48 h and 72 h after treatment were compared by the repeated measurement ANOVA for the overall comparison at multiple time points, and LSD- t test for pair-wise comparison.The 28-day survival of the two groups was recorded and compared by the Chi- square test. Results:The PT, TT and APTT at 48 h and 72 h after treatment were significantly lower in the combination group than those of CVVH group (all P<0.05). The FIB at 48 h[(2.15±0.42) g/L vs.(1.84±0.31) g/L]and 72 h after treatment [(2.89±0.27) g/L vs.(2.49±0.20) g/L]were significantly higher in the combination group than those of CVVH group (all P<0.05). The duration of antibiotic use in the combination group was significantly shorter than that of CVVH group [(11.33±1.16) d vs.(13.54±1.92) d, t=5.828, P<0.05]. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α at 48 h and 72 h were significantly lower in the combination group than those of CVVH group (all P<0.05). Serum levels of HMGB1, TLR4 and sFLT at 48 h and 72 h were significantly lower in the combination group than those of CVVH group (all P<0.05). The 28-day survival of the combination group was significantly higher than that of CVVH group (94.29% vs.77.14%, χ2=4.200, P=0.040). Conclusions:TPE combined with CVVH can improve the coagulation function and inflammatory factor levels in children with severe sepsis and MODS, which may achieve therapeutic objectives by regulating the levels of HMGB1, TLR4 and sFLT, and improve the short-term prognosis.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic risk factors of patients with colchicine poisoning / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with colchicine poisoning, and analyze the risk factors affecting the prognosis of colchicine poisoning and its value in the prognostic assessment.Methods:Patients with colchicine poisoning admitted to the Emergency Intensive Care Unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from December 2017 to October 2022 were retrospectively included and divided into the survival group and death group according to the 14-d outcome. The general conditions of the two groups of patients were compared, and the clinical characteristics of patients with colchicine poisoning were analyzed. The differences of laboratory indexes, electrocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound and other clinical indexes during the first admission of patients between the two groups were compared, and their value in the prognosis evaluation of patients with colchicine poisoning was explored.Results:There were 41 patients with colchicine poisoning, aged 15-85 years, including 35 males and 6 females. There were 27 patients (65.9%) in the survival group and 14 patients (34.1%) in the death group, including accumulative poisoning (58.7%) and suicide poisoning (41.3%). The main clinical manifestations of patients with colchicine poisoning were gastrointestinal symptoms (82.93%), multiple organ dysfunction (78.05%), infectious fever (73.17%), myocardial damage (48.78%), coagulation dysfunction (46.34%), and bone marrow suppression (41.46%). Intestinal obstruction (19.51%) and rhabdomyolysis (2.44%) occurred in some patients. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the increase in absolute value of QTc interval ( OR=1.028, 95% CI: 1.000~1.056, P<0.05), lactic acid ( OR=1.599, 95% CI: 1.088~2.350, P<0.05), prothrombin time ( OR=1.205, 95% CI: 1.002~1.450, P<0.05), D-dimer ( OR=1.242, 95% CI: 1.089~1.417, P<0.05), and alkaline phosphatase ( OR=1.013, 95% CI: 1.002~1.024, P<0.05) were the risk factors for the prognosis of patients with colchicine poisoning. The decrease in the absolute value of ADL score ( OR=0.947, 95% CI: 0.909~0.988, P<0.05) and indirect bilirubin ( OR=0.756, 95% CI: 0.572~0.999, P<0.05) were the protective factors for the prognosis of patients with colchicine poisoning. D-dimer (AUC=0.913), lactic acid (AUC= 0.875) and alkaline phosphatase (AUC=0.770) had predictive value for the prognosis of patients with colchicine poisoning, and their cut-off values were 8.965 mg/L, 4.05 mmol/L and 230.5 U/L, respectively. Conclusions:The patients with colchicine poisoning have multiple organ dysfunction on admission, and are in a critical condition. The early levels of D-dimer, lactic acid and alkaline phosphatase could effectively predict the prognosis of patients with colchicine poisoning.

Treatment of Critical COVID-19 Case Complicated with Multiple Organ Dysfunction based on “Cold-dampness Entering Ying （营）” Theory： A Case Report / 中医杂志

“Cold-dampness entering ying （营）” is the key to the worsening of cold-dampness epidemic， and is more common in the elderly or critically ill cases of cold-dampness epidemic with pathogen exuberance and healthy qi deficiency. This paper reported a case of critically ill COVID-19 combined with multiple organ dysfunction treated by integrative traditional Chinese and western medicine based on “cold-dampness entering ying” theory. The patient did not have high fever after being infected with SARS-Cov-2， but D-dimer continued to increase， and she developed multiple thrombosis throughout the body and multiple organ dysfunctions such as pulmonary embolism， edema， oliguria， and shock. The patient were with enlarged and dusky tongue， with yellow， thick and greasy coating， and sublingual blood stasis， and thready， rapid and rough pulse. All these were characteristic manifestations of “cold-dampness entering ying”， and was differentiated as cold-dampness stasis. For the treatment， symptomatic and supportive western medicine of improving heart function， anti-infection， relieving asthma， stopping cough and reducing phlegm was given as the basic therapy， and additionally， traditional Chinese medicine to open the constraint and the blocked， save from collapse and restore yang， boost qi and relieve collapse， invigorate blood and drain water was used， usually with Modified Poge Zilong Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction （破格子龙宣白承气汤加减）， which was in accordance with the pathogenesis and thus achieving good effect.

A case report of heat stroke with early severe brain edema / 环境与职业医学

Heat stroke can be divided into two types: exertional and classic, mainly manifested as a clear history of exposure to hot temperature/high heat environment or intense physical activity in hot environment, core temperature exceeding 40 ℃, accompanied by central nervous system changes (altered consciousness, epilepsy, psychiatric symptoms, etc.) and multiple organ damage, including respiratory failure, impaired liver and kidney function, rhabdomyolysis, coagulation disorders, abdominal distension, and diarrhea. Its pathology may be manifested as organ endothelial cell damage, inflammatory response, extensive thrombosis, and bleeding tendency. The main treatment measures are cooling therapy, and when combined with other organ damage, organ support or replacement therapy should be carried out in time, including blood transfusion to improve coagulation function and blood purification therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may improve the prognosis of patients with ischemic hypoxic encephalopathy. We reported a case of a firefighter with sudden impaired consciousness and high fever during forest fire fighting. The patient was sent to a local hospital and his head computed tomography (CT) results showed unclear cerebral gyrus, suggesting severe cerebral edema, and finally diagnosed as heat stroke. After being transferred to Liuzhou Workers' Hospital, his condition continued to deteriorate and signs of multiple organ failure appeared. The patient's cerebral edema was reversed and further development of heat stroke was prevented through early cooling, sedation and anti-epilepsy, endotracheal intubation ventilator-assisted breathing, anti-infection, fluid resuscitation, infusion of fresh frozen plasma and platelets to improve coagulation function, immunomodulatory therapy, renal replacement therapy, and timely artificial liver therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was ordered during the rehabilitation phase, and the patient recovered well at discharge, leaving no obvious neurological sequelae. Its prognosis is much better than that predicted at admission.

Pathological Changes and Cause of Death Associated with the Global Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) / 法医学杂志

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a global epidemic for more than three years, causing more than 6.9 million deaths. COVID-19 has the clinical characteristics of strong infectivity and long incubation period, and can cause multi-system damage, mainly lung damage, clinical symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and systemic multiple organ damage. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is still constantly mutating. At present, there is no global consensus on the pathological changes of COVID-19 associated deaths and even no consensus on the criteria for determining the cause of death. The investigation of the basic pathological changes and progression of the disease is helpful to guide the clinical treatment and the development of therapeutic drugs. This paper reviews the autopsy reports and related literature published worldwide from February 2020 to June 2023, with a clear number of autopsy cases and corresponding pathological changes of vital organs as the inclusion criteria. A total of 1 111 autopsy cases from 65 papers in 18 countries are included. Pathological manifestations and causes of death are classified and statistically analyzed, common pathological changes of COVID-19 are summarized, and analytical conclusions are drawn, suggesting that COVID-19 infection can cause life-threatening pathological changes in vital organs. On the basis of different health levels of infected groups, the direct cause of death is mainly severe lung damage and secondary systemic multiple organ failure.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) temporally related to COVID-19: the experience at a pediatric reference hospital in Colombia / Síndrome inflamatória multissistêmica em criança associada à COVID-19: experiência em um hospital pediátrico de referência na Colômbia

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and the different phenotypes of children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) temporally related to COVID-19 and to evaluate the risk conditions that favored a greater severity of the disease during a 12-month period at a pediatric reference hospital in Colombia. Methods: A 12-month retrospective observational study of children under the age of 18 years who met criteria for MIS-C. Results: A total of 28 children presented MIS-C criteria. The median age was 7 years. Other than fever (100%) (onset 4 days prior to admission), the most frequent clinical features were gastrointestinal (86%) and mucocutaneous (61%). Notably, 14 (50%) children had Kawasaki-like symptoms. The most frequent echocardiographic abnormalities were pericardial effusion (64%), valvular involvement (68%), ventricular dysfunction (39%), and coronary artery abnormalities (29%). In addition, 75% had lymphopenia. All had at least one abnormal coagulation test. Most received intravenous immunoglobulin (89%), glucocorticoids (82%), vasopressors (54%), and antibiotics (64%). Notably, 61% had a more severe form of the disease and were admitted to an intensive care unit (median 4 days, mean 6 days); the severity predictors were patients with the inflammatory/MIS-C phenotype (OR 26.5; 95%CI 1.40-503.7; p=0.029) and rash (OR 14.7; 95%CI 1.2-178.7; p=0.034). Two patients had macrophage activation syndrome. Conclusions: Coronary artery abnormalities, ventricular dysfunction, and intensive care unit admission were frequent, which needs to highlight the importance of early clinical suspicion.

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever as características clínicas e os diferentes fenótipos de crianças com síndrome inflamatória multissistêmica na criança temporalmente relacionada com a COVID-19 (do inglês multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children — MIS-C) e avaliar as condições de risco que favorecem a maior gravidade da doença durante um período de 12 meses em um hospital pediátrico de referência na Colômbia. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de 12 meses de observação de crianças menores de 18 anos que cumprem os critérios para o MIS-C. Resultados: Vinte e oito crianças foram apresentadas com os critérios do MIS-C. A idade média era de sete anos, e 54% eram do sexo masculino. Para além da febre (100%) (com início quatro dias antes da admissão), as características clínicas mais frequentes eram gastrointestinais (86%) e mucocutâneas (61%). Quatorze crianças (50%) apresentavam sintomas semelhantes aos de Kawasaki. As anomalias ecocardiográficas mais frequentes foram derrame pericárdico (64%), envolvimento valvar (68%), disfunção ventricular (39%) e anomalias coronárias (29%). Tinham linfopenia 75% das crianças. Todas tinham algum teste de coagulação anormal. A maioria recebeu imunoglobulina intravenosa (89%), glucocorticoides (82%), vasopressores (54%) e antibióticos (64%). Tiveram envolvimento mais grave 61% dos pacientes, que precisaram ser internados em unidade de terapia intensiva (mediana de quatro dias, média de seis dias); os preditores de gravidade foram pacientes com fenótipo inflamatório/ MIS-C (odds ratio — OR 26,5; intervalo de confiança — IC95% 1,4-503,7; p=0,029) e erupção cutânea (OR 14,7; IC95% 1,2-178,7; p=0,034). Dois pacientes (7%) apresentavam síndrome de ativação macrofágica. Conclusões: Alteração da artéria coronária, disfunção ventricular e internação na unidade de terapia intensiva foram frequentes, o que nos alerta sobre a importância da suspeita clínica precoce.

Clinical profile and outcome of paraquat poisoning at a tertiary care centre in North Karnataka, a retrospective observational study

Background: Paraquat is a herbicide commonly used for controlling weeds in India. The primary target organs for paraquat poisoning are the lungs and the kidneys. Acute cases of poisoning with paraquat are admitted to the hospital with various stages of acute kidney injury. Aim: To study the clinical presentation and outcome of paraquat poisoning in a tertiary care setting. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad. In this study we included the data of all patients admitted to the hospital with paraquat poisoning for a period of three-year and four months between January 2018 to April 2021. Results: A total of 12 participants were included in the final analysis. All the patients consumed paraquat with the suicidal intention only. The quantity of paraquat ingested was quite varied, ranging from as low as 5ml to as high as 200ml. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) was diagnosed in 58.3% of patients. Among which three patients were in stage 1, one was in stage 2, and three were in stage 3. The mortality rate was 58.33%. The major cause of death for these patients was multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (71.42 %). Conclusion: Acute kidney injury is the major clinical outcome of paraquat poisoning other than lung injury. This may result in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and mortality. Paraquat poisoning is due to consumption with suicidal intent. Most of them were young. Early management with hemoperfusion may have a positive effect on reducing mortality.

Differences in organ dysfunction between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria-induced sepsis in rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the differences in organ dysfunction between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria-induced sepsis in rats.Methods:Fifty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 340-380 g, aged 15-18 weeks, were divided into 3 groups using a random number table method: control group (C group, n=12), G - bacteria group ( n=20), and G + bacteria group ( n=20). The G + and G - septic models were developed by intraperitoneal injection of inactivated Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli suspension in G + and G - bacteria groups, respectively.The survival status within 36 h after injection of inactivated bacteria was recorded.Mean arterial pressure (MAP), platelet count (Plt), oxygenation index (OI) and serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), cardiac troponin T (cTnT), total bilirubin (TBIL), creatinine (Cr), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and lactic acid (Lac) were measured at 6, 12, 24 and 36 h after injection of inactivated bacteria.Fear conditioning test and open field test were performed at 12 and 36 h after injection of inactivated bacteria.The apoptosis rate of neurons in hippocampal CA1 area was measured by TUNEL, and the permeability of blood-brain barrier was measured by Evans blue method.The histopathological changes of lung, heart, kidney and brain tissues were examined at 36 h after injection of inactivated bacteria. Results:Compared with C group, the number of crossing grids and percentage of time spent freezing were significantly decreased, the apoptosis rate of neurons and permeability of blood-brain barrier were increased, and the survival rate was decreased in G - bacteria group and G + bacteria group ( P<0.05); the serum TNF-α concentration was significantly increased in G + bacteria group, and the serum cocentration of OI was significantly decreased, and the serum concentrations of cTnT, Cr, TNF-α and Lac were increased in G - bacteria group at 6 h after injection of inactivated bacteria ( P<0.05); the serum concentrations of cTnT, Cr, NSE, TNF-α and Lac in G + bacteria group and serum concentrations of cTnT, Cr, TNF-α and Lac in G - bacteria group were increased, and the OI, MAP and Plt were decreased at 12 h after injection of inactivated bacteria in both groups ( P<0.05); the serum concentrations of cTnT, TBIL, Cr, NSE, TNF-α and Lac were increased, and OI, MAP and Plt were decreased at 24 and 36 h after injection of inactivated bacteria in G + bacteria group and G - bacteria group ( P<0.05). Compared with G + bacteria group, the serum concentrations of TNF-α and cTnT and apoptosis rate of neurons were significantly decreased at 12 h after injection ( P<0.05); the serum concentrations of TNF-α and Lac were significantly increased, the serum concentrations of cTnT, OI, MAP and Plt were decreased at 24 h after injection of inactivated bacteria ( P<0.05); the serum concentrations of Cr, NSE, TNF-α and Lac were significantly increased, OI, MAP and Plt were decreased, and the percentage of time spent freezing, apoptosis rate of neurons and permeability of blood-brain barrier were increased at 36 h after injection of inactivated bacteria in G - bacteria group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Early respiratory dysfunction and multiple organ failure often occur in G - bacteria sepsis, while G + bacteria sepsis is more likely to cause early circulatory and neurological dysfunction, and G - sepsis presents with more serious organ damage and high fatality rate as the disease progresses.

A case of tsutsugamushi disease complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome treated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation / 中华危重病急救医学

Tsutsugamushi disease is an acute infectious disease caused by Rickettsia. Occasionally it has been reported in Macau, China. Critical cases are rare. Because the clinical manifestations of tsutsugamushi disease are non-specific and diverse, if not diagnosed and treated in time, the disease may progress to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and even death. A patient with tsutsugamushi disease complicated by MODS was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Kiang Wu Hospital in Macau, China on September 30, 2021. Combined with the history of outdoor activities (exposure to chigger mite larvae), clinical symptoms and signs (characteristic eschar of tsutsugamushi disease was found on the abdominal skin), related laboratory examinations (Weil-Felix test: negative). Diagnosis of tsutsugamushi disease with MODS. After admission, the patient was treated by anti-infection, correction of coagulation dysfunction, tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, noradrenalin to maintain blood pressure, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), but the condition didn't improve significantly. We initiated veno-venous ECMO (VV-ECMO), which was initially setted blood flow to 5 L/min (70 mL·kg -1·min -1), rotate speed to 3 500 rpm, fractional concentration of inspired oxygen (FiO 2) to 1.00. Heparin was used as anticoagulant and activated coagulation time (ACT) was kept between 180 and 200 seconds. Meanwhile the speed of fluid removal in CRRT was adjusted. After 9 hours of ECMO support, the oxygenation improved, the blood flow of ECMO was reduced to about 4 L/min (58 mL·kg -1·min -1), rotate speed to 3 000 rpm. The patient's condition improved after 4 days of ECMO treatment and her ECMO flow rate and FiO 2 could be decreased gradually. On hospital day 5, ECMO was removed. Eight days on mechanical ventilation, the patient was successfully weaned and extubated. On day 11 of hospitalization, weaned the CRRT and turned to intermittent hemodialysis. The patient was transferred out of ICU due to her stable condition on the 12th day hospitalization. After that, her spontaneous urine output increased gradually. The functions of various organs returned to normal. After 36 days of hospitalization, she recovered and was discharged.