Recommendations for antibiotic selection for severe nosocomial infections.

Severe infection and its evolution to sepsis are becoming more prevalent every day and are among the leading causes of critical illness and mortality. Proper management is crucial to improve prognosis. This document addresses three essential points that have a significant impact on this objective: a) early recognition of patients with sepsis criteria, b) identification of those patients who suffer from an infection and have a high risk of progressing to sepsis, and c) adequate selection and optimization of the initial antimicrobial treatment.

Características, evolución clínica y factores asociados a la mortalidad en UCI de los pacientes críticos infectados por SARS-CoV-2 en España: estudio prospectivo, de cohorte y multicéntrico / Patient characteristics, clinical course and factors associated to ICU mortality in critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Spain: a prospective, cohort, multicentre study

ANTECEDENTES: No se ha reportado plenamente la evolución clínica de los pacientes críticos de COVID-19 durante su ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI), incluyendo las complicaciones médicas e infecciosas y terapias de soporte, así como su asociación con la mortalidad en ICU. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio es describir las características clínicas y la evolución de los pacientes ingresados en UCI por COVID-19, y determinar los factores de riesgo de la mortalidad en UCI de dichos pacientes. MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo, multi-céntrico y de cohorte, que incluyó a los pacientes críticos de COVID-19 ingresados en 30 UCIs de España y Andorra. Se incluyó a los pacientes consecutivos de 12 de Marzo a 26 de Mayo de 2020 si habían fallecido o habían recibido el alta de la UCI durante el periodo de estudio. Se reportaron los datos demográficos, síntomas, signos vitales, marcadores de laboratorio, terapias de soporte, terapias farmacológicas, y complicaciones médicas e infecciosas, realizándose una comparación entre los pacientes fallecidos y los pacientes dados de alta. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a un total de 663 pacientes. La mortalidad general en UCI fue del 31% (203 pacientes). Al ingreso en UCI los no supervivientes eran más hipoxémicos [SpO2 sin mascarilla de no reinhalación, de 90 (RIC 83-93) vs 91 (RIC 87-94); p < 0,001] y con mayor puntuación en la escala SOFA - Evaluación de daño orgánico secuencial - [SOFA, 7 (RIC 5-9) vs 4 (RIC 3-7); p < 0,001]. Las complicaciones fueron más frecuentes en los no supervivientes: síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo (SDRA) (95% vs 89%; p = 0,009), insuficiencia renal aguda (IRA) (58% vs 24%; p < 10−16), shock (42% vs 14%; p < 10−13), y arritmias (24% vs 11%; p < 10−4). Las súper-infecciones respiratorias, infecciones del torrente sanguíneo y los shock sépticos fueron más frecuentes en los no supervivientes (33% vs 25%; p = 0,03, 33% vs 23%; p = 0,01 y 15% vs 3%, p = 10−7), respectivamente. El modelo de regresión multivariable reflejó que la edad estaba asociada a la mortalidad, y que cada año incrementaba el riesgo de muerte en un 1% (95%IC: 1-10, p = 0,014). Cada incremento de 5 puntos en la escala APACHE II predijo de manera independiente la mortalidad [OR: 1,508 (1,081, 2,104), p = 0,015]. Los pacientes con IRA [OR: 2,468 (1,628, 3,741), p < 10−4)], paro cardiaco [OR: 11,099 (3,389, 36,353), p = 0,0001], y shock séptico [OR: 3,224 (1,486, 6,994), p = 0,002] tuvieron un riesgo de muerte incrementado. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes mayores de COVID-19 con puntuaciones APACHE II más altas al ingreso, que desarrollaron IRA en grados II o III y/o shock séptico durante la estancia en UCI tuvieron un riesgo de muerte incrementado. La mortalidad en UCI fue del 31%

BACKGROUND: The clinical course of COVID-19 critically ill patients, during their admission in the intensive care unit (UCI), including medical and infectious complications and support therapies, as well as their association with in-ICU mortality has not been fully reported. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe clinical characteristics and clinical course of ICU COVID-19 patients, and to determine risk factors for ICU mortality of COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Prospective, multicentre, cohort study that enrolled critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted into 30 ICUs from Spain and Andorra. Consecutive patients from March 12th to May 26th, 2020 were enrolled if they had died or were discharged from ICU during the study period. Demographics, symptoms, vital signs, laboratory markers, supportive therapies, pharmacological treatments, medical and infectious complications were reported and compared between deceased and discharged patients. RESULTS: A total of 663 patients were included. Overall ICU mortality was 31% (203 patients). At ICU admission non-survivors were more hypoxemic [SpO2 with non-rebreather mask, 90 (IQR 83-93) vs 91 (IQR 87-94); p < 0.001] and with higher sequential organ failure assessment score [SOFA, 7 (IQR 5-9) vs 4 (IQR 3-7); p < 0.001]. Complications were more frequent in non-survivors: acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (95% vs 89%; p = 0.009), acute kidney injury (AKI) (58% vs 24%; p < 10−16), shock (42% vs 14%; p < 10−13), and arrhythmias (24% vs 11%; p < 10−4). Respiratory super-infection, bloodstream infection and septic shock were higher in non-survivors (33% vs 25%; p = 0.03, 33% vs 23%; p = 0.01 and 15% vs 3%, p = 10−7), respectively. The multivariable regression model showed that age was associated with mortality, with every year increasing risk-of-death by 1% (95%CI: 1-10, p = 0.014). Each 5-point increase in APACHE II independently predicted mortality [OR: 1.508 (1.081, 2.104), p = 0.015]. Patients with AKI [OR: 2.468 (1.628, 3.741), p < 10−4)], cardiac arrest [OR: 11.099 (3.389, 36.353), p = 0.0001], and septic shock [OR: 3.224 (1.486, 6.994), p = 0.002] had an increased risk-of-death. CONCLUSIONS: Older COVID-19 patients with higher APACHE II scores on admission, those who developed AKI grades II or III and/or septic shock during ICU stay had an increased risk-of-death. ICU mortality was 31%

Patient characteristics, clinical course and factors associated to ICU mortality in critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Spain: A prospective, cohort, multicentre study. / Características, evolución clínica y factores asociados a la mortalidad en UCI de los pacientes críticos infectados por SARS-CoV-2 en España: estudio prospectivo, de cohorte y multicéntrico.

BACKGROUND: The clinical course of COVID-19 critically ill patients, during their admission in the intensive care unit (UCI), including medical and infectious complications and support therapies, as well as their association with in-ICU mortality has not been fully reported. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe clinical characteristics and clinical course of ICU COVID-19 patients, and to determine risk factors for ICU mortality of COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Prospective, multicentre, cohort study that enrolled critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted into 30 ICUs from Spain and Andorra. Consecutive patients from March 12th to May 26th, 2020 were enrolled if they had died or were discharged from ICU during the study period. Demographics, symptoms, vital signs, laboratory markers, supportive therapies, pharmacological treatments, medical and infectious complications were reported and compared between deceased and discharged patients. RESULTS: A total of 663 patients were included. Overall ICU mortality was 31% (203 patients). At ICU admission non-survivors were more hypoxemic [SpO2 with non-rebreather mask, 90 (IQR 83 to 93) vs. 91 (IQR 87 to 94); P<.001] and with higher sequential organ failure assessment score [SOFA, 7 (IQR 5 to 9) vs. 4 (IQR 3 to 7); P<.001]. Complications were more frequent in non-survivors: acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (95% vs. 89%; P=.009), acute kidney injury (AKI) (58% vs. 24%; P<10-16), shock (42% vs. 14%; P<10-13), and arrhythmias (24% vs. 11%; P<10-4). Respiratory super-infection, bloodstream infection and septic shock were higher in non-survivors (33% vs. 25%; P=.03, 33% vs. 23%; P=.01 and 15% vs. 3%, P=10-7), respectively. The multivariable regression model showed that age was associated with mortality, with every year increasing risk-of-death by 1% (95%CI: 1 to 10, P=.014). Each 5-point increase in APACHE II independently predicted mortality [OR: 1.508 (1.081, 2.104), P=.015]. Patients with AKI [OR: 2.468 (1.628, 3.741), P<10-4)], cardiac arrest [OR: 11.099 (3.389, 36.353), P=.0001], and septic shock [OR: 3.224 (1.486, 6.994), P=.002] had an increased risk-of-death. CONCLUSIONS: Older COVID-19 patients with higher APACHE II scores on admission, those who developed AKI grades ii or iii and/or septic shock during ICU stay had an increased risk-of-death. ICU mortality was 31%.

Predictive and Comparative Study Between Clinic Consensus Document for Pancreas Acceptance and Predictive Value of Preprocurement Pancreas Allocation Suitability Score (P-PASS).

The strict selection of pancreas for transplant has forced the development of different documents to select the suitable organ in order to minimize the risks and complications of the transplant. In 2008, Eurotransplant published the Preprocurement Pancreas Allocation Suitability Score (P-PASS) for pretransplant selection. In 2001 the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona developed a Clinical Consensus Document (CCD). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze the predictive decision of the pancreas acceptance to offers received in the hospital, according to the CCD criteria and compare it with the recommended value of suitability for accepting the pancreas according to the P-PASS value. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective comparative study between the criteria of selection of the CCD for pancreas from 2016-2017 in comparison with the values obtained if the P-PASS had been used: ≤ 17, acceptance criteria and P-PASS; > 17, risk criteria. We defined the organ reported as rejected or accepted. The accepted organ could be procured and transplanted or discarded. RESULTS: With the CCD criteria, 7 more organs were transplanted than if we only applied the potential P-PASS criteria. In contrast, P-PASS would have ruled out an additional 9% of pancreases in relation to CCD criteria. CONCLUSIONS: According our experience, it is difficult to find an adequate prediction model to select pancreas for transplantation. The application of the DCC criteria increases the number of organs valid for transplantation. At present, new criteria should be re-evaluated within multicenter studies.

Modularity and Blended Methodology on Master Education for Donation and Transplantation.

Transplant Procurement Management and the University of Barcelona has offered a Master of Donation and Transplantation degree since 2004. The aim of this study is to analyze the number of participants, their profiles, and scores to evaluate improving measures introduced since 2011, when the modular structure was stablished. The data is organized in 3 groups: number of participants, profile, and scores in each module. The variables for the profile are gender, nationality, and background. According to the number of participants, 127 professionals were trained since 2011, with a decrease in the last classes (21; 20; 15). Regarding their profiles, from 2011 until 2016 the proportion of women was higher (63.13%). The background heterogeneity was an average of 4 different backgrounds in each edition, and medicine was most frequent background for students (58.27%). Participants were from 37 countries, mostly from the United States (45.6%) and Europe (40.9%). As for the scores, participants were evaluated in 4 modules (Donation, Transplantation, Management, and Tissue Banking), an internship, and a final master dissertation. The Donation module presented the lowest score (7.45/10) and the Transplantation module the highest (8.22/10). Considering that the main characteristics of the master's degree are the participants' internationality and heterogeneity, improvement measures must continue focusing on flexibility in the module selection and promoting the online modality.

Association of Brain-Dead Donors' Terminal Inflammation With Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammation affects kidney function in a wide range of diseases. Even in kidney transplant recipients, higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are invariably associated with both worse short- and long-term graft outcomes. However, little is known about systemic inflammation in kidney donors and, notably, brain death causes a strong systemic inflammatory response. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of systemic inflammation of brain-dead donors on short-term kidney graft outcomes (ie, delayed graft function [DGF], defined as the need of dialysis during the first week after transplantation). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical and biochemical characteristics of all brain-dead kidney donors generated in the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona in the 2006 to 2015 period (n = 194). Donors who were tested for CRP in the 24 hours before BD declaration were included (n = 97, 50% of initial population). Clinical and biochemical features of their respective recipients (n = 165) were analyzed, comparing recipients who developed DGF (n = 30) with recipients who did not (n = 135). RESULTS: Donors whose recipients later developed DGF had much higher CRP values (10.58 [5.1-18.21] vs 4.81 [1.42-12.2] mg/dL, P = .025). Other characteristics associated with the development of DGF were renal biopsy score and recipient dialysis vintage (P = .025 and P = .002, respectively). In logistic regression analysis, PCR maintained significance in the non-expanded criteria donor (ECD) group (odds ratio [OR], 1.102; P = .027), but it lost significance in the ECD group (P = .67). CONCLUSIONS: Terminal donor CRP was associated with DGF in kidney transplant recipients and proved to be mostly significant in younger donors.

Relatives' Perception After Tissue Donation Experience: Results of a Postdonation Phone Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Postmortem tissue donation (TD) requires the establishment of strategies for family approach to clearly explain the characteristics of multi-tissue donation. In a tertiary university hospital with a long tradition of tissue generation, we designed a survey to be applied to tissue donor families to evaluate global hospital care, care from Transplant Coordinators (TC), quality and content of information given about TD, experience, and motivations after TD process. METHODOLOGY: A prospective phone survey of 10 multiple-choice items was conducted to all TD relatives that agreed to donate one or more tissues. RESULTS: From the 166 calls made to TD relatives, 75 (45%) were answered: 50 were cornea donors and 25 were multiple-tissues donors. None of the relatives denied participating, the rest were not found. No statistical differences in demographical variables were found between both types of TD. The hospital and TC care perception, the quality of the given information about the processes of TD, the postdonation experiences in terms of procedures, and the impression about body appearance for relatives regardless of the type of donation, corneas or multiple tissues, were evaluated as good or very good for most of the TD relatives. Our study showed that 83% of the family members would agree to donate again; 40% of the relatives were surprised to be offered the option to donate; 10% did not know if they would donate again. Solidarity was the leading reason for TD. CONCLUSION: The relatives' perception of care is a critical component of the quality evaluation of the TD process. The global evaluation results support our strategies for family approach.

Quality Assessment of Postmortem Tissue Donors in a University Hospital: Detection and Generation Tissue Indicators.

BACKGROUND: Defining quality assessment and measurement tools in the area of tissue donation should be considered to be one of the most important strategies for developing health centers. The aim of this project was to identify, define, and analyze a set of indicators to assess the most important steps in the tissue donor detection and generation processes. METHODS: A prospective, descriptive, and comparative study of all potential tissue donors (TDs) detected and generated in a university hospital was performed. All deceased patients after cardiocirculatory death were evaluated in 2015 by the transplant coordinators (TCs). We defined as detection indicators: total deaths, percentage of detection and evaluation, percentage of clinical contraindications, tissue donor potentiality (TDP; corneal or multitissue potentiality), and the functional detection time (FDT); and as generation indicators: generation rate (corneal or multitissue generation), family request time, number of interviewed relatives, and TC experience (y). RESULTS: The detection and evaluation rate was 100% (n = 1,235); tissue clinical contraindications were 57%, and TDP was 43% (n = 528; corneal, 80%; multitissue, 20%). The FDT was 24 ± 30 minutes. The generation rate was 53.4% (n = 282): corneal, 57% (n = 241); and multitissue, 40% (n = 41). Family request time was 10 ± 17 minutes, average number of interviewed relatives was 2.2 ± 1.6, and 35% of TCs had experience in the field for >5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Obtaining indicators for quality assessment in the area of tissue donation is useful in predicting the outcome of the TD process as well as promoting the approach of continuous improvement.

Successful Pancreas Transplantation From a Deceased Donor Intoxicated With Oral Antidiabetic Agent: A Case Report.

Simultaneous kidney pancreas transplantation (SKP) is a common procedure for the patient with long-term type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) with terminal renal failure. It is unusual to consider the pancreas from a deceased donor who died after an acute intoxication with oral antidiabetic agent (OAA), which would suggest an abnormal functionality of the organ and preclude the potential use of the graft. We present a case of a successful pancreatic transplantation from a donor who died of acute cerebral edema secondary to severe hypoglycemia induced by OAA acute intoxication.

Perception of transplant coordinator regarding relatives' attitude toward tissue donation request.

INTRODUCTION: Family denials for tissue donation are higher than denials obtained after organ donation. OBJECTIVES: To find out families' perception toward tissue request as well as its relation with the degree of acceptance or denial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following the request for tissue donation (corneas or different tissues), a five closed-question survey was designed and immediately answered by the Transplant Coordinator. The main aim was to find out whether the request determined surprise, disapproval, understanding, knowledge, and immediacy in the decision-making process, as well as its relation with the decision to donate. RESULTS: Of 1751 surveys, 991 were answered and collected from 2009 to 2011, which represents a 56% from the total. Data collected relate to families 510 who donated and 481 who did not (P = NS). The fact of requesting corneas only or different tissues did not influence the answers. Surprise and disapproval variables significantly predicted refusal to donation (P = .000). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless the request type (corneas or multitissue) variables influencing the decision making when approaching families are expression of surprise and disapproval. Neither understanding the application nor existence of a prior approach to donation has any influence whatsoever in the decision-making process.

Anaesthesia for caesarean section in a patient with syringomyelia and Arnold-Chiari type I malformation.

A 37-year-old primiparous woman with syringomyelia and Arnold-Chiari type I malformation was scheduled to undergo elective caesarean section for a fetus in the breech presentation. Caesarean section was performed under general anaesthesia without complications; all we observed was an exaggerated response to atracurium. The patient was discharged home 7 days after the operation without neurological deterioration. General anaesthesia was chosen in this patient to avoid any spinal manipulation that could increase intracranial pressure or reduce intraspinal pressure and cause deterioration of neurological symptoms. Syringomyelia is a progressive myelopathy characterised by cystic degeneration within the spinal cord, which causes severe neurological deficits. The anaesthetic management is discussed.

The effects of vasoactive drugs on hepatic blood flow changes induced by CO2 laparoscopy: an animal study.

UNLABELLED: Laparoscopic surgery is associated with systemic and splanchnic hemodynamic alterations. Recent data suggest that small-dose dobutamine may attenuate the reduction in splanchnic blood flow associated with increments in intraabdominal pressure. We conducted this study to analyze the effects of dopamine and dobutamine on the hepatic circulation in this setting. Twenty-one pigs were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. A flow-directed pulmonary artery and carotid artery catheters were inserted. Perivascular flow probes were placed around the main hepatic artery and the portal vein. CO2 was insufflated into the peritoneal cavity to reach an intraabdominal pressure of 15 mm Hg. After 60 min, animals received dopamine (5 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1); n = 8), dobutamine (5 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1); n = 8), or saline (n = 5) for 30 min. Pneumoperitoneum induced significant increases in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and systemic vascular resistance, with decreases in cardiac output and hepatic artery and portal vein blood flows. Dobutamine infusion, in contrast to dopamine, corrected, at least in part, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, and hepatic artery blood flow alterations, but neither drug restored total hepatic blood flow. IMPLICATIONS: Hepatic blood flow decreases during laparoscopic surgery. A small-dose infusion of neither dobutamine nor dopamine corrects the total hepatic blood flow impairment, but the former is able to restore the hepatic arterial blood supply in an animal model mimicking this condition.

Transient neurologic symptoms after spinal anaesthesia using isobaric 2% mepivacaine and isobaric 2% lidocaine.

BACKGROUND: Transient Neurological Symptoms (TNS) syndrome following subarachnoid anaesthesia was initially associated with hyperbaric lidocaine 50 mg/ml, but has also been reported with most local anaesthetics, including hyperbaric mepivacaine 40 mg/ml. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of TNS after subarachnoid anaesthesia using isobaric mepivacaine 20 mg/ml and isobaric lidocaine 20 mg/ml. METHODS: Eighty patients of both sexes, ASA class I-II, scheduled for elective minor orthopaedic surgery under subarachnoid anaesthesia, were prospectively included and randomly allocated to receive 40-60 mg of either isobaric mepivacaine 20 mg/ml (Group M) or isobaric lidocaine 20 mg/ml (Group L). Patients were evaluated on the first postoperative day by one investigator unaware of the grouping, looking for symptoms suggestive of TNS, such as pain or dysaesthesias in the buttocks or lower limbs with or without back pain. RESULTS: TNS symptoms were observed in three patients (7.5%) of Group M and in one patient (2.5%) of Group L, without statistically significant differences between the groups. Symptoms had an abrupt onset and relief, lasted from 45 min to 24 h, and had a complete resolution without sequelae. The only statistically significant difference between groups was longer motor blockade in Group M (P=0.0031). CONCLUSION: In this study TNS was associated with isobaric mepivacaine 20 mg/ml, with an incidence of 7.5%, and with isobaric lidocaine 20 mg/ml, with an incidence of 2.5%, in patients having orthopaedic procedures in the supine position.

Dobutamine restores intestinal mucosal blood flow in a porcine model of intra-abdominal hyperpressure.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of dopamine and dobutamine administration on the systemic and mesenteric (macro- and microvascular) circulatory disturbances induced by intra-abdominal hyperpressure. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Animal research laboratory in a university hospital. SUBJECTS: Twenty-five pigs of either gender, weighing 30-35 kg. INTERVENTIONS: Animals were anesthetized, and their lungs were mechanically ventilated. Pulmonary artery flotation and carotid artery catheters were inserted for hemodynamic monitoring and blood sampling. A perivascular flow probe was placed around the superior mesenteric artery, and a laser Doppler probe was positioned in the lumen of the ileum to measure arterial and intestinal mucosal blood flows, respectively. CO2 was insufflated into the peritoneal cavity to reach an intra-abdominal pressure of 15 mm Hg, and 60 mins later, animals received dopamine (5 microg/kg/min; n = 10), dobutamine (5 microg/kg/min; n = 10), or saline (n = 5) for 30 mins. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Peritoneal CO2 insufflation induced significant increases in heart rate, arterial pressure, and systemic vascular resistance with concomitant decreases in cardiac output and superior mesenteric arterial and intestinal mucosal blood flows. Although dobutamine infusion reversed the decrease in cardiac output, it failed to restore superior mesenteric artery blood flow; however, intestinal mucosal blood flow returned to baseline levels. Dopamine also attenuated the decrease in cardiac output, but it had no beneficial effect on splanchnic hemodynamic variables. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose infusion of dobutamine, but not dopamine, corrects the intestinal mucosal perfusion impairment induced by moderate increases in intra-abdominal pressure.

[Epidural hematoma after removal of an epidural catheter]. / Hematoma epidural tras la retirada de un catéter epidural.

Epidural hematoma is a rare but serious neurological complication of epidural anesthesia. We report the case of a 61-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung who suffered an epidural hematoma after undergoing right double lobectomy. Before anesthetic induction an epidural catheter was inserted to the D5-D6 space for postoperative analgesia. Surgery was without noteworthy events and the patient was extubated in the operating room; 5,000 IU of low molecular weight heparin was injected subcutaneously every 24 hours and 5 mg of methadone was provided by epidural catheter every 8 hours. After removal of the catheter three days after surgery, lumbar back pain and hypoesthesia, and weakness in both legs appeared. Epidural hematoma was suspected and treatment with 30 mg.kg-1 of methylprednisolone i.v. was started. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine confirmed the presence of a hematoma at D6-D8. Neurologic symptoms improved in the following hours and additional surgery was not required. The patient was released without neurological symptoms 10 days after lung surgery. We discuss the prevalence, etiology and treatment of epidural hematoma related to epidural anesthesia.