Fracaso multiorgánico secundario a infección por coronavirus no COVID-19 / Multiple-organ failure as a result of non-COVID-19 coronavirus infection

Las infecciones por coronavirus son habituales en los pacientes pediátricos. Por lo general, producen un cuadro clínico leve de infección del tracto respiratorio superior que no suele afectar a los pulmones, salvo en prematuros y niños con enfermedades crónicas de base. Excepcionalmente, afectan a otros órganos (corazón, cerebro, tracto gastrointestinal) e incrementan su gravedad.En relación con la coincidencia temporal con el inicio de la actual pandemia por el nuevo beta coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), responsable de su enfermedad asociada (COVID-19), se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de 5 años con fracaso multiorgánico y secuelas neurológicas por afectación bulbar y trombosis vascular ocasionados por un alfa coronavirus (CoV-NL63) debido a su gravedad y excepcionalidad

Coronavirus infections (CoV) are common in pediatric patients. In general, they produce a mild clinical presentation consisting of an upper respiratory tract infection that does not usually infect the lungs, with the exception of preterm infants and children with chronic diseases. These infections exceptionally affect other organs (heart, brain, gastrointestinal tract), thus increasing their severity.In relation to the temporal coincidence with the beginning of the current situation of pandemic by the new beta coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 responsible for its associated disease (COVID-19), this study presents a clinical case of a 5-year-old patient showing multiple-organ failure and neurological sequelae due to bulbar injury and vascular thrombosis caused by an alpha coronavirus (CoV-NL63) due to its severity and exceptionality

Neuroleptospirosis con pericarditis y colestasis intrahepática (Síndrome de Weil) / Neuroleptospirosis with Pericarditis and Intrahepatic Cholestasis (Weil syndrome)

Introducción: El síndrome de Weil es una forma grave de la infección bacteriana causada por la bacteria Leptospira, conocida como leptospirosis. Este se caracteriza por la disfunción de múltiples órganos, entre ellos, hígado, riñón, músculos, serosas o el sistema neurológico, en este caso denominado neuroleptospirosis, genera una mortalidad muy elevada cuando no se brinda diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuado. Objetivo: Describir las manifestaciones clínicas, paraclínicos complementarios y tratamiento de un paciente con síndrome de Weil, una condición poco frecuente. Caso clínico: Paciente de 23 años quien consulta en el contexto de síndrome febril agudo asociado con neuritis óptica, dolor torácico y paraclínicos que evidenciaron afectación hepática y cardíaca. Se confirma el diagnóstico de síndrome de Weil dado por neuroleptospirosis, pericarditis y colestasis intrahepática. Conclusiones: mediante un caso clínico de síndrome de Weil, se describe la afectación multisistémica de complicaciones asociadas con leptospirosis, con manifestaciones poco habituales como neuroleptospirosis, pericarditis y colestasis intrahepática(AU)

Introduction: Weil syndrome is a serious form of the bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira bacterium; this is known as leptospirosis. This is characterized by multiple organ dysfunction; for example, the liver, kidney, muscles, of serous type, or the neurological system, in this case called neuroleptospirosis, which produces a very high mortality when adequate diagnosis and treatment are not provided. Objective: To describe the clinical manifestations, complementary paraclinic practice and treatment of a patient with Weil syndrome, as a rare condition. Clinical case: 23-year-old patient who presents with acute febrile syndrome associated with optic neuritis, chest pain, and paraclinical symptoms obviously consistent liver and cardiac involvement. The diagnosis of Weil syndrome is confirmed, specifically defined by neuroleptospirosis, pericarditis, and intrahepatic cholestasis. Conclusions: Through a clinical case of Weil syndrome, the multisystem involvement of complications associated with leptospirosis is described, along with its unusual manifestations, such as neuroleptospirosis, pericarditis, and intrahepatic cholestasis(AU)

Zigomicosis y síndrome hemofagocítico en un paciente inmunocompetente: informe de caso / Zygomycosis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report

Introducción: la zigomicosis es una infección fúngica poco frecuente, con alta tasa de mortalidad y de mal pronóstico. Afecta principalmente a pacientes inmunocomprometidos. La asociación con el síndrome hemofagocítico es extremadamente inusual, más aún en pacientes inmunocompetentes, con pocos ejemplos registrados en la literatura. Caso clínico: se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino inmunocompetente de 40 años con diagnóstico de mucormicosis y síndrome hemofagocítico que evoluciona desfavorablemente, con fallo multiorgánico, a pesar de los esfuerzos médicos. Conclusión: la asociación de mucormicosis con síndrome hemofagocítico en un paciente inmunocompetente es extremadamente rara; existen pocos casos informados en Latinoamérica. Debemos tener presente esta asociación, ya que requiere un tratamiento agresivo y soporte vital avanzado. (AU)

Introduction: zygomycosis is a rare fungal infection that carries with high mortality rates. This poor prognosis, rapidly progressive infection mainly affects immunocompromised patients. The association with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is extremely unusual, even more in immunocompetent patients, with few cases reported. Case: we present the case of an immunocompetent male patient who was diagnosed with zygomycosis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Despite medical efforts he developed multiorganic failure. Conclusion: the association of mucormycosis with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an immunocompetent patient is exceptional with few cases reported in Latin America. We must always suspect this association considering they require aggressive treatment and advanced life support. (AU)

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma with multi-organ failure presenting as a pancreatic mass: a case with atypical presentation and definite diagnosis postmortem

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a very rare extra nodal lymphoma that tends to proliferate within small blood vessels, particularly capillaries and postcapillary venules while sparing the organ parenchyma. The cause of its affinity for the vascular bed remains unknown. Because of its rarity and unremarkable clinical presentation, a timely diagnosis of IVLBCL is very challenging. Here, we describe a case of IVLBCL presenting as pancreatic mass that was ultimately diagnosed at autopsy. A 71-year-old Caucasian female presented with a 3-month history of fatigue, abdominal pain, and weight loss. She was referred to the emergency room with a new diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis and lactic acidosis. During her hospital course she was found to have a 1.9 × 1.8 cm lesion in the pancreatic tail on imaging; The cytologic specimen on the mass showed a high-grade lymphoma. A bone marrow biopsy showed no involvement. The patient's condition rapidly deteriorated and she, later, died due to multi-organ failure. An autopsy revealed diffuse intravascular invasion in multiple organs by the lymphoma cells. Based on our literature review­and to the best of our knowledge­there are virtually no reports describing the presentation of this lymphoma with a discernible tissue mass and associated multi-organ failure. The immunophenotypic studies performed revealed de novo CD5+ intravascular large B-cell lymphoma, which is known to be aggressive with very poor prognosis. Although it is a very rare lymphoma, it should be considered as a potential cause of multi-organ failure when no other cause has been identified. A prompt tissue diagnosis, appropriate high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation remain the only viable alternative to achieve some kind of remission.

Tormenta tiroidea asociada a disfunción multiorgánica / Thyroid storm associated with multiorganic dysfunction

La tormenta tiroidea es una condición infrecuente y potencialmente fatal. En la literatura han sido descritas varias presentaciones inusuales de la misma; sin embargo, la disfunción multiorgánica es rara vez vista. Aquí describimos un caso en una mujer de 36 años de edad con enfermedad de Graves subyacente no diagnosticada hasta entonces, quien inició su sintomatología con una tormenta tiroidea. Su score de Burch y Wartofsky fue de 50/140. Desarrolló falla hepática aguda, falla renal aguda, acidosis láctica, falla cardíaca, bicitopenia, coagulopatía y rabdomiolisis. La disfunción multiorgánica se revirtió gracias a la pronta instauración de los esteroides, ciclofosfamida, plasmaféresis y posterior tiroidectomía. La dificultad reside en reconocer las variadas presentaciones de la enfermedad y ofrecer un tratamiento apropiado cuando se enfrenta a las contraindicaciones o las fallas terapéuticas del tratamiento convencional.

Thyroid storm is a rare and potentially fatal condition. Unusual presentations in patients with thyroid storm have been described but multiorganic dysfunction is uncommonly seen. We describe the case of a 36-year-old woman with unknown underlying Graves´s disease who developed thyroid storm. The thyroid storm score of Burch and Wartofsky was 50/140. This was complicated by acute liver failure, acute kidney injury, lactic acidosis, heart failure, bi-cytopenia, coagulopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The severe multiorgan dysfunction was reversed by prompt institution of steroids, cyclophosphamide and plasma exchange before thyroidectomy. Main difficulty lies in recognizing its varied presentations and offering appropriate treatment when physician faces either failure or contraindications of conventional therapy.

Multiorgan disorder syndrome (MODS) in an octagenarian suggests mitochondrial disorder / Síndrome mitocondrial no sindrómico con fallas de múltiples sistemas. Presentación de un caso

Non-syndromic, multi-organ mitochondrial disorders (MIDs) are frequently missed if treating physicians are not aware of them. We report a 85 years old Caucasian male, referred for tonic-clonic seizures, presenting with a plethora of abnormalities, including neurodermitis, atopic dermatitis, diabetes, hypertension, renal insufficiency, non-specific colitis, urine bladder lithiasis, bilateral cataracts, atrial fibrillation, diverticulosis, polyneuropathy, vitamin-D-deficiency, renal cysts, left anterior hemi-block, right bundle branch block, pulmonary artery hypertension, and heart failure. Neurological investigations revealed ptosis, quadriparesis, fasciculations, dysarthria, dysdiadochokinesia, tremor, hyperkinesia, ataxia, leukoencephalopathy, and basal ganglia calcification. Based upon this combination of abnormalities a non-syndromic mitochondrial multi-organ disorder syndrome (MIMODS, encephalo-myo-cardiomyopathy) was diagnosed.

Las alteraciones mitocondriales no sindrómicas y mutisistémicas pueden ser pasadas por alto si no se está consciente de su existencia. Presentamos un hombre de 85 años, referido por convulsiones tónico clónicas, que presentaba una plétora de anomalías tales como neurodermatitis, dermatitis atópica, diabetes, hipertensión, insuficiencia renal, colitis no específica, litiasis vesical, cataratas bilaterales, fibrilación auricular, diverticulosis, polineuropatía, deficiencia de vitamina D, quistes renales, hemibloqueo izquierdo anterior y bloqueo de rama derecha, hipertensión pulmonar e insuficiencia cardíaca. El estudio neurológico reveló la presencia de ptosis, cuadriparesia, fasciculaciones, disartria, disdiadocoquinesia, temblor, hiperquinesia, ataxia, leucoencefalopatía y calcificación de ganglios basales. Basados en estos hallazgos, se diagnosticó un síndrome mitocondrial no sindrómico con fallas de múltiples sistemas.

Preguntas y respuestas sobre el Daño Múltiple de Órganos: Reflexiones acerca de la temática / Questions and answers on the organ multiple damage: Reflections about this subject matter

El daño múltiple de órganos es la expresión morfológica de la respuesta inflamatoria sistémica, que se desencadena por diversos factores causales, y que clínicamente se expresa con el síndrome de disfunción múltiple de órganos. El daño múltiple de órganos se puede diagnosticar tras el estudio detallado de la autopsia. Aunque ambos términos están bien caracterizados clínica y morfológicamente, se mantienen confusiones en el empleo de ambas denominaciones y en otros aspectos relacionados con el tema, que involucran a patólogos, intensivistas, internistas, cirujanos y otros especialistas, por lo que el propósito del presente trabajo consistió en esclarecer aspectos controversiales en relación con el daño múltiple de órganos a través de preguntas y respuestas y brindar las posibilidad de reflexionar al respecto. Se debatieron diferentes aspectos del tema, esclareciendo las bases que sustentan el diagnóstico del daño múltiple de órganos, el cual requiere la realización de una autopsia con máxima calidad, desde el estudio macroscópico hasta el microscópico, la recolección de todas las alteraciones morfológicas encontradas y su valoración en cada paciente estudiado, integrándolos y cuantificando los cambios encontrados para calcular el sistema de puntuación y finalmente valorar el lugar que ocupa este en el cronopatograma del fallecido

The organ multiple damage is the morphological expression of systemic inflammatory response triggered by many causal factors and the clinically it is expressed with the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, which could be diagnosed after a detailed necropsy study. Although both terms are well clinically and morphologically characterized there are confusions related to the use of both naming and in other features related to this subject, in which are involved pathologists, intensive care professionals, surgeons and other specialists. The aim of present paper was to clarify the controversial features related to organ multiple damage using questions and answers and to reflect in this respect. Different features on thus subject were discussed clearing up the basis supporting the organ multiple damage diagnosis being necessary a necropsy with high quality, from a macroscopic study up to a microscopic one, collection of all the morphologic alterations founded and its assessment in each study patient and quantifying the changes noted to estimate the mark system and finally to value its place in the chronopathognomy of the deceased

Score for neonatal acute physiology II predicts mortality and persistent organ dysfunction in neonates with severe septicemia.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between score for neonatal acute physiology II (SNAP II) applied within 12 hours from the onset of severe sepsis, and death and persistent organ dysfunction (OD). Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Level III neonatal intensive care unit. Participants: Neonates with severe sepsis. Intervention:SNAP II was applied within the first 12 hours from the onset of severe sepsis. Neonates with major malformations, severe asphyxia and prior blood products were excluded. Major outcome measure: Death at day 14 from enrolment. Results: Forty neonates completed the study. Twenty-five died within 14 days. The median SNAP II was significantly higher in babies who died versus those who survived [median (IQR): 43 (36 – 53.5) vs 18 (16 - 37), P<0.001]. A SNAP II greater than 40 had 88% positive predictive value for death and persistent OD each, and 86.6% and 86% specificity for death and persistent OD, respectively. On day 14 from enrolment, more organs normalized/improved in the subjects with SNAP II of £40. Perfusion related SNAP II parameters were significantly associated with death and organ dysfunction. Conclusions: Severely septicemic neonates with high SNAP II scores (>40) have a higher risk of dying and persistent organ dysfunction. Individual SNAP II parameters do not contribute equally in prediction of mortality.

Influencia da ultrafiltração na remoção de mediadores inflamatorios durante circulação extracorporea e alterações da função organica monitorada pelo "Sequencial Organ Failure Assessment Score - SOFA" em pacientes submetidos a revascularização do miocardio / Inflammatory mediators and sequencial organ failure assessment score - SOFA outcomes after conventional ultrafiltration during circulatory bypass in patients underwent coronary artery bypass graft

Objetivo: Investigar a eficácia da ultrafiltração na remoção de mediadores inflamatórios liberados pela circulação extracorpórea e correlacionar ultrafiltração com alterações da função orgânica de acordo com o "Seqüential Organ Failure Assessment Score". Métodos: Quarenta pacientes foram incluídos e randomizados em dois grupos: "sem ultrafiltração" (n=20; Grupo I) e "ultrafiltração" (n=20; Grupo II). Complementos 3 e 4 ativados, interleucina 1beta, 6, 8 e fator de necrose tumoral alfa foram dosados antes da indução anestésica (T1), 5 minutos antes da circulação extracorpórea (T2), no líquido ultrafiltrado (T3), 30 minutos (T4), 6 (T5), 12 (T6), 24 (T7), 36 (T8) e 48 (T9) horas após término da circulação extracorpórea. "Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score" foi avaliado nos tempos 1, 6 e 9. Significância estatística foi estabelecida com...

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of ultrafiltration in removing inflammatory mediators released by cardiopulmonary bypass and to correlate ultrafiltration with alterations in organic function according to the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score. Methods: Forty patients were included and randomized into two groups: "no ultrafiltration" (n=20; Group I) and "ultrafiltration" (n=20; Group II). Activated complement 3 and 4, interleukins 1beta, 6, 8 and tumor necrosis factor alfa were measured prior to anesthesia induction (Time 1), 5 minutes before cardiopulmonary bypass (Time 2), in the ultrafiltrated fluid (Time 3), 30 minutes (Time 4), and 6 (Time 5), 12 (Time 6), 24 (Time 7), 36 (Time 8) and 48 (Time 9) hours following cardiopulmonary bypass. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score was evaluated at Time 1, 6 and 9. Statistical significance was established...

Importancia y diagnóstico del daño múltiple de órganos en autopsias clínicas / Importance and diagnosis of multiple organ failure in clinical autopsies

El estudio de más de 14 000 autopsias ha permitido integrar un conjunto de alteraciones morfológicas con el término de daño múltiple de órganos. El propósito del presente trabajo fue determinar la vigencia de los elementos diagnósticos iniciales del daño múltiple de órganos en fallecidos con factores causales. Se realizó un estudio de estos y se analizaron las relaciones de las causas de muerte con los factores causales y el número de órganos afectados con la estadía hospitalaria. Se revisaron 448 fallecidos y a quienes se les había realizado autopsia en el Instituto Superior de Medicina Militar Dr Luis Díaz Soto. Se revisaron los protocolos de autopsias, historias clínicas y láminas histopatológicas. Se seleccionaron los 145 casos con criterio de daño múltiple de órganos que constituyeron el objeto de estudio del presente trabajo. Los resultados muestran la presencia del daño múltiple de órganos en un tercio de los fallecidos, que fue mayormente en los menores de 50 años y en los procedentes de las terapias y unidades de cuidados intermedios. Se destacan entre las causas de muerte el daño tisular severo y la infección. Los órganos más afectados fueron los pulmones, el intestino, las glándulas suprarrenales, el hígado y el cerebro. Estuvo presente el daño múltiple de órganos en el 59,3 por ciento de los fallecidos entre los primeros 4 días de estadía hospitalaria, con predominio del daño en 5 y 6 órganos. El daño múltiple de órganos se presentó en más de un tercio de los casos estudiados. La respuesta del organismo ante los factores causales, desencadena la respuesta inflamatoria sistémica que se expresa morfológicamente en el daño múltiple de órganos y puede llevar al paciente a la muerte.

The study of more than 14 000 autopsies has allowed to integrate a series of morphological alterations with the term of multiple organ damage. The purpose of this paper was to determine the validity of the initial diagnostic elements in the deceased with causal factors. A study of them was carried out and the relations of the death causes with the causal factors and of the number of organs affected with the hospital stay were analyzed. 448 dead, whose autopsy had been performed at Dr. Luis Díaz Soto Higher Institute of Military Medicine, were examined. The protocols of the autopsy, medical histories and histopathological laminae were reviewed. The 145 cases with criterion of multiple organ damage that were the object of study of this paper, were selected. The results showed the presence of multiple organ damage in a third of the dead. It was mostly observed in those under 50 and in the ones coming from the intermediate therapy and care units. Among the death causes, the severe tissue damage and infection stood out. The most affected organs were the lungs, the bowels, the suprarenal glands, the liver and the brain. Multiple organ damage was present in 59.3 percent of the deceased in the first 4 days of hospital stay, with predominance of damage in 5 and 6 organs. The response of the organism to the causal factors triggers the systemic inflammatory response that is morphologically expressed in the multiple organ damage and may cause the death of the patient.

The use of ultrafiltration for inflammatory mediators removal during cardiopulmonary bypass in coronary artery bypass graf surgery / Ultrafiltração para remover mediadores inflamatórios durante circulação extracorpórea na revascularização do miocárdio

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of ultrafiltration in removing inflammatory mediators released by cardiopulmonary bypass and to correlate ultrafiltration with alterations in organic function according to the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score. METHODS: Forty patients were included and randomized into two groups: "no ultrafiltration" (n=20; Group I) and "ultrafiltration" (n=20; Group II). Activated complement 3 and 4, interleukins 1beta, 6, 8 and tumor necrosis factor alfa were measured prior to anesthesia induction (Time 1), 5 minutes before cardiopulmonary bypass (Time 2), in the ultrafiltrated fluid (Time 3), 30 minutes (Time 4), and 6 (Time 5), 12 (Time 6), 24 (Time 7), 36 (Time 8) and 48 (Time 9) hours following cardiopulmonary bypass. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score was evaluated at Time 1, 6 and 9. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. RESULTS: In the ultrafiltrated fluid, only tumor necrosis factor alfa levels were detected. Levels of activated complement 3 at Times 5 and 7 and activated complement 4 at Times 5 and 6 were significantly higher in the unfiltered Group, and levels of interleukin 6 were higher in the filtered Group at Times 7 and 8. Interleukins 1beta, 8, tumor necrosis factor alfa, and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrafiltration significantly filtered tumor necrosis factor alfa but did not influences serum levels of this cytokine. Ultrafiltration with the type of filter used in this study had no effect in organic dysfunction and should be used only for volemic control in patients undergo cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a eficácia da ultrafiltração na remoção de mediadores inflamatórios liberados pela circulação extracorpórea e correlacionar ultrafiltração com alterações da função orgânica de acordo com o "Sequencial Organ Failure Assessment Score". MÉTODOS: Quarenta pacientes foram incluídos e randomizados em dois grupos: "sem ultrafiltração" (n=20; Grupo I) e "ultrafiltração" (n=20; Grupo II). Complementos 3 e 4 ativados, interleucina 1beta, 6, 8 e fator de necrose tumoral alfa foram dosados antes da indução anestésica (T1), 5 minutos antes da circulação extracorpórea (T2), no líquido ultrafiltrado (T3), 30 minutos (T4), 6 (T5), 12 (T6), 24 (T7), 36 (T8) e 48 (T9) horas após término da circulação extracorpórea. "Sequencial Organ Failure Assessment Score" foi avaliado nos tempos 1, 6 e 9. Significância estatística foi estabelecida com p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: No líquido ultrafiltrado, apenas níveis de fator de necrose tumoral alfa foram detectados. Níveis de complemento 3 ativado, nos tempos 5 e 7, e complemento 4 ativado, nos tempos 5 e 6, foram significativamente elevados no grupo sem ultrafiltração, e níveis de interleucina 6 foram elevados no grupo ultrafiltrado, nos tempos 7 e 8. Interleucina 1beta, 8, fator de necrose tumoral alfa, e "Sequencial Organ Failure Assessment Score" não tiveram diferenças significantes entre os grupos. CONCLUSÕES: Ultrafiltração filtra significativamente fator de necrose tumoral alfa, mas isto não influencia nos níveis séricos desta citocina. Ultrafiltração com o tipo de filtro usado neste estudo não tem efeito na disfunção orgânica e deverá ser usada apenas para controle volêmico nos pacientes submetidos à circulação extracorpórea.

Clinical utility of standard base excess in the diagnosis and interpretation of metabolic acidosis in critically ill patients

The aims of this study were to determine whether standard base excess (SBE) is a useful diagnostic tool for metabolic acidosis, whether metabolic acidosis is clinically relevant in daily evaluation of critically ill patients, and to identify the most robust acid-base determinants of SBE. Thirty-one critically ill patients were enrolled. Arterial blood samples were drawn at admission and 24 h later. SBE, as calculated by Van Slyke's (SBE VS) or Wooten's (SBE W) equations, accurately diagnosed metabolic acidosis (AUC = 0.867, 95 percentCI = 0.690-1.043 and AUC = 0.817, 95 percentCI = 0.634-0.999, respectively). SBE VS was weakly correlated with total SOFA (r = -0.454, P < 0.001) and was similar to SBE W (r = -0.482, P < 0.001). All acid-base variables were categorized as SBE VS <-2 mEq/L or SBE VS <-5 mEq/L. SBE VS <-2 mEq/L was better able to identify strong ion gap acidosis than SBE VS <-5 mEq/L; there were no significant differences regarding other variables. To demonstrate unmeasured anions, anion gap (AG) corrected for albumin (AG A) was superior to AG corrected for albumin and phosphate (AG A+P) when strong ion gap was used as the standard method. Mathematical modeling showed that albumin level, apparent strong ion difference, AG A, and lactate concentration explained SBE VS variations with an R² = 0.954. SBE VS with a cut-off value of <-2 mEq/L was the best tool to diagnose clinically relevant metabolic acidosis. To analyze the components of SBE VS shifts at the bedside, AG A, apparent strong ion difference, albumin level, and lactate concentration are easily measurable variables that best represent the partitioning of acid-base derangements.

The impact of duration of organ dysfunction on the outcome of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the impact of the duration of organ dysfunction on the outcome of patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. METHODS: Clinical data were collected from hospital charts of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock admitted to a mixed intensive care unit from November 2003 to February 2004. The duration of organ dysfunction prior to diagnosis was correlated with mortality. Results were considered significant if p<0.05. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were enrolled. Mean age was 55.6 ± 20.7 years, mean APACHE II score was 20.6 ± 6.9, and mean SOFA score was 7.9 ± 3.7. Thirty-six patients (64.3 percent) had septic shock. The mean duration of organ dysfunction was 1.9 ± 1.9 days. Within the univariate analysis, the variables correlated with hospital mortality were: age (p=0.015), APACHE II (p=0.008), onset outside the intensive care unit (p=0.05), blood glucose control (p=0.05) and duration of organ dysfunction (p=0.0004). In the multivariate analysis, only a duration of organ dysfunction persisting longer than 48 hours correlated with mortality (p=0.004, OR: 8.73 (2.37-32.14)), whereas the APACHE II score remained only a slightly significant factor (p=0.049, OR: 1.11 (1.00-1.23)). Patients who received therapeutic interventions within the first 48 hours after the onset of organ dysfunction exhibited lower mortality (32.1 percent vs. 82.1 percent, p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the diagnosis of organ dysfunction is not being made in a timely manner. The time elapsed between the onset of organ dysfunction and initiation of therapeutic intervention can be quite long, and this represents an important determinant of survival in cases of severe sepsis and septic shock.

Multiple organ dysfunction scoring system: comparison and evaluation of correlation and accuracy of the three scoring systems in predicting the outcome of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on highland / 中华危重病急救医学

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of the diagnostic parameters of acute respiratory distress syndrome/multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on plateau (H-ARDS/MODS) and compare the accuracy of the three MODS scoring criteria in predicting the outcome of syndrome. METHODS: Five hundred and forty cases fulfilling the criteria of MODS were divided into four groups according to the altitude of their inhabitation area: control group (on plain, CG, n=113, altitude: <430 m), moderate high altitude group 1 (H1G, n=314, altitude: 1,517 m), moderate high altitude group 2 (H2G, n=78, altitude: 2,261 m to 2,400 m) and high altitude group (HG, n=35, altitude: 2 808 m to 3 400 m). According to the diagnostic criteria of Lushan conference and Marshall (1995) commonly used on plain, and Lanzhou criteria drafted by the authors, three data analyzing models were set up to draw the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, the Yordon Index and the optimum cutoff points of the parameters were calculated and the accuracy of the three respective diagnostic criteria was evaluated in predicting the outcome of ARDS/MODS. Multiple factors affecting the outcome of MODS were analyzed using the method of stepwise forward regress model. RESULTS: Following the increase in altitude, Lanzhou criteria was clearly superior to the other two criteria in the area of ROC, the sensitivity, the specificity, and also for the optimum cutoff points of MODS. Multi-variable regression analysis showed that the impacting factor of Lanzhou criteria was the highest (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: (1)Some parameters of the current diagnostic criteria of ARDS/MODS are not suitable in moderately high or high altitude areas. It is necessary to set up the diagnostic criteria of H-ARDS/MODS. (2)Some clinical characteristics might change in areas 1,500 m altitude or higher. The pathophysiological mechanism might be attributable to peculiar biologic reactions due to hypoxia stress reaction, and it is worth further study.

Sistema de puntuación del daño múltiple de órganos en un modelo de quemadura tratado con Aloe b, ozono y factor de crecimiento epidérmico / Scoring system of the multiple organ damage in a burn model treated with Aloe b, ozone and epidermal growth factor

La experiencia alcanzada en el estudio del daño múltiple de órganos (DMO) mostraba la necesidad de establecer una escala semicuantitativa que permitiera cuantificar el valor de las alteraciones observadas. El propósito del presente trabajo fue diseñar un método de estudio del DMO con el empleo de una escala de valores semicuantitativos que se identifique con los daños patomorfológicos y que permita evaluar el DMO en el modelo empleado. Se elaboró un modelo de quemadura seca de un área del 11 por ciento en ratones hembras balb/c de 20 ± 2 g (n= 24) y se aplicó tratamiento con el empleo de inmunomoduladores y citoprotectores. Se estudiaron los órganos con evaluación cualitativa en grados de intensidad. La prueba G fue empleada para conocer la dependencia entre las variables y la prueba t fue usada al comparar porcentajes. La prueba de rango múltiple de Duncan se utilizó en el sistema de puntuación. Se siguieron las normas éticas en el trabajo con los animales. El sistema de puntuación propuesto y aplicado en los animales de los diferentes grupos de estudio permitió excluir el DMO en parte de los animales de los grupos que mejor comportamiento presentaron durante todo el estudio y clasificar el DMO con intensidad entre leve, moderada e intensa

Aplicación del sistema de puntuación del daño múltiple de órganos en autopsias clínicas / Application of a scoring system of multiple organ failure in clinical autopsies

Se aplicó el sistema de puntuación semicuantitativo del daño múltiple de órganos (DMO) en las autopsias realizadas en adultos. Se hizo un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal y aleatorizado. La muestra se obtuvo del total de autopsias realizadas entre julio y diciembre de 2001, con exclusión de los fetos, niños y autopsias que no tuviesen los fragmentos establecidos. Se procesaron por los métodos habituales y el criterio del DMO modificado acorde con la experiencia alcanzada en estudios experimentales fue: presencia del factor causal, lesión en 3 órganos o más y la reactividad del sistema inmunológico. Según los criterios empleados el DMO alcanzó 46,55 por ciento de las autopsias. Las causas de muerte se relacionaron con factores causales o complicaciones de estos. Las alteraciones del DMO presentes en los casos estudiados muestran la elevada frecuencia de estas alteraciones, y el grado del DMO moderado resultó el más frecuente encontrado. Se mostró la utilidad de los criterios diagnósticos del DMO empleados, la necesidad de aplicar el sistema de puntuación del DMO y de realizar las autopsias con máxima calidad. Se recomendó la validación del sistema semicuantitativo de puntuación del DMO